Bilawal says Constitutional Amendments must before October 25

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Wednesday that the constitutional amendment is required before October 25. After October 25, there will be difficulties in constitutional amendments this is what the decision on reserved seats indicates. He said, “if the amendments were made before October 25, there would be no difficulties like 19th Amendment”, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Talking to media in Islamabad, PPP leader and former foreign minister claimed, “if amendments are made before October 25, the issue will be resolved peacefully.”

Bilawal said if the it goes beyond, but then there may be a face-to-face situation. He pledges that PPP will not leave the case of the Constitutional Court unsettled and will complete it.  He hoped, “We will not let leave the matter of the constitutional court without wrapping up.”

He lauded that first time Supreme Court of Pakistan has admitted parliament’s right to legislation and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman wants to take PTI on board over the constitutional amendment.

He said the government had shared the idea of the amendment with the judiciary first and after it the reserved seats were taken away from the government. That was the reason the government was trying to keep the document secret.

Bhutto Zardari also questioned why is there no discussion on the timing of the explanation order issued on reserved seats by few SC judges. PPP leader said that “Parliament was scheduled to meet on September 14, so why is the timing of the judges' 4-page explanation not being questioned?”. Bilawal claimed he will speak against Establishment if it violates the laws. If we speak against court’s power they issue contempt of court.

He said after the amendment, the head of the Constitutional Court will be Faiz Isa or Justice Mansoor for three years. “I believe in Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, he does not misuse powers.”

He said, “We took all the powers from the President and gave to the Prime Minister, so why not the court?. We have also placed the Senate above the National Assembly”. He said, “During the time of former CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry, the Judiciary became the government above the government.” He urged the politicians to come back to the realm of politics and finish the game who will become the prime minister next. Who will become the chief and who will not, this game is also over.” Bilawal said the polarization has increased so much in the society that it is said only Khan is right. He said taking dam funds by threatening the business community was an abuse of power.

To a questioned why the government bring the idea of the Constitutional Court now, Bilawal said, “We have already suffered a lot of delay, it was part of PPP demand in 2006 and it is part of our manifesto”.

Bhutto made it clear that, “We are not in favor of establishing the military courts”. “The reason for the establishment of the federal constitutional court is the history of the SC,” Bhutto maintained. To a question regarding military trial of PTI founder, Bilawal said, “if you want a military trial, bring evidence”. PPP also told journalists that “don't worry, we have the option of pardon at this time”.

Bilawal said, “PTI saw the flaws in the judiciary after 2022.” He said, “in 1990s, we used to hire lawyers, but the PML-N used to hire judges.”

Bilawal said the establishment of the Constitutional Court was a part of the Charter of Democracy. He said, “We want constitutional courts at the provincial level as well.” The Karachi riots case has been pending for years. Sindh govt changed even the local government system on the basis of Sindh unrest case”.

PPP leader said is the unrest only in Karachi? Not in KP Balochistan? He complained that in such cases for Sindh, the court separates the constitution itself. SC judge comes and says that court need Karachi of 1950s.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori