Bilawal Bhutto’s call for constitutional court part of PPP manifesto: Umar Rehman Malik

Abdullah Jan

Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik this week said PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s call for constitutional court was part of the PPP manifesto.

“Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s call for constitutional courts aligns with the PPP’s long-standing promises, as outlined in the party’s manifesto and the Charter of Democracy (CoD). The CoD proposes a Federal Constitutional Court to handle constitutional matters, with equal representation from all federating units,” he said.

Umer Rehman Malik said judges or those qualified to be Supreme Court judges would serve six-year terms, while the Supreme and High Courts would focus on civil and criminal cases.

“This reflects Chairman PPP’s commitment to fulfilling Shaheed Mohtarma #BenazirBhutto’s vision and the party’s pledge for judicial reforms,” he added.

Earlier, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that everyone would have to accept the constitutional court in which provinces have equal representation.

Addressing members of Balochistan High Court Bar Association in Quetta, Bilawal Bhutto said “How can you say that you will not accept the constitutional court? The Constitution must be obeyed.”

“Don’t call yourselves lawyers and politicians if you don’t obey the constitution,” Bilawal said adding “When General Musharraf was in power then nobody remembers the constitution.”

Throwing light on PPP’s support for the constitutional package, Bilawal said so far his party had agreed to the government’s proposal for the formation of a constitutional federal court.

He said his party had no problem if anyone of the top two judges of the country chaired the constitutional court. “After the struggle of 30 years, we have decided to form a constitutional court,” he said, adding his struggle for the constitutional amendment was not for the current Chief Justice, Qazi Faez Isa. “Your agenda could be a person-specific, not mine,” he remarked.

Bilawal said the state has become more like a father than a mother while severely criticizing the mindset of individuals like Iftikhar Chaudhry for damaging the judiciary. He added that the judiciary has continuously launched attacks on the parliament.

He emphasized the unique bond between the lawyers and the PPP, a connection that no politician or institution could claim.