Balochistan being treated unfairly: Bilawal

QUETTA: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that aid for the flood victims of 2022 is being distributed now in Balochistan, expressing concerns that the province is being treated unfairly.

He mentioned that they secured funding from the World Bank for the reconstruction of homes affected by the floods, aiming to rebuild the houses of the impacted communities. On Monday, during a speech in Quetta at the distribution of grants cheques for housing reconstruction for flood victims, Bilawal emphasised that while serving as foreign minister, he gathered funding for the rehabilitation of flood victims, and that the first condition of the agreement with the previous government was to provide immediate assistance to them. The project aims to not only provide houses but also land ownership rights, similar to initiatives in Sindh. He noted that this work has not been left to bureaucrats.

Bilawal highlighted that the project involves funding from the World Bank and both federal and provincial governments. He questioned why similar efforts have not been made in Balochistan, mentioning that the federal government has withheld a $400 million grant without providing a single house for flood victims. He urged that money must be delivered to the victims and suggested that the provincial planning minister should meet with the federal government regarding this matter.

He stressed that both governments need to demonstrate their commitment to serious issues faced by flood victims, calling for the construction of homes that are flood resilient. Bilawal remarked that resources are limited and should be utilised effectively, as this will not be the last flood. He pointed out the need to approach these institutions again to show what has been done for the flood victims, noting that past records have not been encouraging.

He reiterated that discussions with the federal government to secure rights have yet to yield results, and emphasised that the provincial government has significant responsibilities towards flood victims. During the event, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari distributed cheques for relief grants to the flood victims.

Meanwhile in another event, during a speech at the Pakistan People’s Lawyers Forum convention at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Monday, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari mentioned that they are working on creating a consensus draft for judicial reforms and welcome the involvement of stakeholders in the process. He emphasised that there needs to be agreement on establishing a constitutional court, as reforms are necessary in the current judicial appointment process, which he believes is influenced by political considerations among judges.

Bilawal highlighted that the country faces numerous issues, particularly in Balochistan. He asserted that Pakistan’s judicial system is unable to deliver justice to victims of terrorism. He recalled the signing of the Charter of Democracy by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif and committed to fulfilling the late Benazir Bhutto’s promises.

He mentioned the plan to establish a constitutional court that would represent all provinces. Bilawal also noted that he intends to engage not only with like-minded individuals but also with lawyers nationwide, indicating a desire to fight their case.

Meanwhile, speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath,’ the PPP chairman said that judicial reforms were part of the Charter of Democracy signed between the PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif and slain Benazir Bhutto in 2006.

Bilawal asked if there is any example where the top court is fixing the prices of potatoes and building dams. “Show me one country where judges are appointed by judges.” PPP has been trying to introduce judicial reforms since 2006, he added.

Responding to a question, Bilawal expressed hope that they would woo JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over the PPP’s draft in connection with the constitutional amendment. Reiterating his party’s stance on the Federal constitutional court, the PPP chairman said that the sitting chief justice of the Supreme Court (SC) appoints a judge of his choice by a process of his choice.

“So, what we have resulted from the Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s court, a perpetualisation of this concept of super judicial activism that is not found anywhere else in the world.” “The only counter to that, is for us to have a proper appointment for the process of judges that is not one that is just exclusively left in the domain of the higher judiciary that pretext the concentration of powers in the hands of any one individual.” But actually, consensus decision of a forum that sure, it can include members of the judiciary but must also include members of the opposition, the government and the bar, he added.