Bilawal blames judges for scuppering judicial reforms through reserved seats ruling

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Wednesday declared the Supreme Court (SC) verdict in the reserved seats case a direct interference in the parliamentary process for judicial reforms, as it reduced the government numbers in parliament required for a constitutional amendment.

In an interview with a private TV channel, he said there was a consensus among all the parliamentary forces that judicial reforms should be introduced. He said only judicial reforms and formation of a constitutional court was the solution to the current crises in the country. He said when the reserved seats case was being heard by the apex court, the law minister went to the [Supreme] Court and informed it that the government was going to introduce judicial reforms. “When judges were informed that judicial reforms were going to happen, then came the reserved seats verdict against the government,” he said, adding that through the verdict, the numbers of the government were reduced in parliament. “It was a direct interference in the process of judicial reforms,” he alleged.

“Though it has very credible and able individuals yet as an institution, when it comes to power of that institution, then they go around the fact that powers remain with the institution, whether it is about domain or judicial reforms; at the end of the day, the Constitution does not matter, democracy does not matter, parliament doesn’t matter, what matters is this that they would not allow happening it [judicial reforms],” he alleged.

Bilawal said when the news was coming that the government numbers were being completed with the support of Maulana Fazlur Rehman and a committee meeting was scheduled for Sunday, a day before that on Saturday, an unsigned order was released by the Supreme Court judges. “Any effort for judicial reforms will be undermined by those who, in judiciary, always held that powers shall be concentrated in the judges’ hands; so they should be able to operate outside the Constitution and law, whenever they want to do so,” he added.

He said, “At this time, not us, the opposition is thinking about personalities. We cannot legislate person-specific... but cannot do that to legislate against any person. The most important point of the Charter of Democracy is judicial reforms. The constitutional amendments could have been presented better than the form in which they were presented.”

In reply to a question, he said, “We are trying to get Maulana Fazlur Rahman to come to the page and there will be some give and take with the Maulana, then we can bring such amendments that will achieve the target of his manifesto.”

Separately, speaking to Supreme Court reporters at Zardari House on Wednesday, the PPP chairman said if constitutional amendments were ensured before October 25, there would be no difficulties like those which happened earlier during the 19th constitutional amendment. However, he added that if amendments were not made before that date, then the process for it would become difficult. “In case, constitutional amendments were not ensured, and if any situation would arise, nobody would be able to control it,” Bilawal warned.

He, however, said the Supreme Court had accepted the parliament’s right to make legislation, adding that they were determined to ensure the formation of a constitutional court.

Replying to a question regarding the trial of former PTI chairman Imran Khan in military courts, Bilawal said they had to see what the evidence was in that regard. “First bring the evidence and then it will be looked into,” Bilawal said adding that in a lighter vein that after all they have the power of presidential pardon also.

The PPP chairman said if he had led the matter of constitutional amendments, he would have also taken along the PTI, adding that it was the desire of JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman that the PTI should also be taken on board.

Justifying the formation of constitutional court, Bilawal said it was a part of Charter of Democracy, adding that now they were not only in favour of the Federal Constitutional Court but also determined to establish it at the provincial level.

To another question as to why the idea of the Constitutional Court had come to the fore now, Bilawal said they had already suffered a lot of delay. He questioned as to what the judiciary had done, why questions were not being raised about its timing. “The way stay was granted on the issue of reserved seats, why its timing was not questioned,” Bilawal asked.

Bilawal said parliament’s session was scheduled on Sept 14 but on that day, the judges issued 4-page order, but nobody asked about its timing.

Bilawal said the term of head of the proposed constitutional court would be three years, whether he would be Justice Qazi Faez Isa or Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah. He said they believe that Justice Mansoor Ali would not misuse his authority. Replying to another question, he said he was not in favour of establishment of military courts.

Sabah adds: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Balochistan lawyers bravely resisted dictatorship and today Pakistan’s judicial system needed reforms. He said that no judge had the courage to term the black law of a dictator unconstitutional. He said he was not struggling for the current chief justice in the proposed constitutional amendment, adding that he had great respect for Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah.

Bilawal said if the Constitution would say that there should be a constitutional court, then you would have to accept it, adding that it was the duty of the court to ensure implementation of Constitution and law.

Addressing the Balochistan High Court Bar, Bilawal expressed his gratitude to the High Court Bar Association, district bar and the PLF, saying “I have been allowed to speak to the lawyers of Balochistan once again. Those who claim to be champions of lawyers today know nothing about my connection with lawyers. Don’t think I come from Lahore or Islamabad, I am one of you.”