PPP fulfilling promise made in CoD: Bilawal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that the PPP is fulfilling the promises made in the Charter of Democracy (CoD), particularly those concerning judicial reforms.

In a media talk on Sunday at the Parliament House, he described the day as monumental both politically and personally, as he would be implementing one of the points of his mother’s unfinished mission.

He emphasised that this achievement, like others, has been secured through political consensus, even in the current constrained political environment.

PPP chairman noted that there are no objectionable or controversial points in the Bill and both the government and opposition parties involved in the discussions have reached a compromise. “Even parties that may not vote for the Bill today have no substantive objections, as they have already endorsed the consensus formed between Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the PPP,” he said.

He said, “We used every forum but the PTI did not give a word on the amendment, still he requests PTI to support this amendment in the national interest.

Describing it as a historic day, Bilawal shared that he had contacted Maulana Fazlur Rehman on phone to congratulate him. He praised the efforts of the JUIF and Maulana Fazlur Rehman in advancing the amendment, stating that their dedication was not for political gain but for the integrity of the Constitution, which is as vital to them as it is to the PPP.

In reply to a question, he said that Justice Mansoor Ali Shah himself spoke of merit with seniority. He said a judge gave him and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari justice that no one could ever give and this judge punished Musharraf, those involved in Faizabad sit-ins.

Meanwhile, in a separate address at the PPP parliamentary party meeting, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that as parliamentary party leader of the PPP and PPPP, it is his instruction to all the parliamentary members that they will vote in favour of the constitutional amendment being presented in the House.

He said that he will be there to guide the members on the specifics and Senator Sherry Rehman would do the same in the Senate.

He said that all the members should consider this his official instructions and those who are not or could not be present here today, should consider the video message his public instructions that they are bound to by party discipline.

PPP chairman told the PPP parliamentary party in clear words that violation of party discipline will result in a by-election.