Judicial system has collapsed; establishment of constitutional court is essential, says Bilawal Bhutto

Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, stated that we have witnessed authoritarian regimes where judges permitted the dictator to amend the constitution. Judges would forget the constitution for ten years, granting all power to the dictator.

While addressing lawyers at an event in the Sindh High Court, he mentioned that his relationship with lawyers spans three generations.

He belongs to the party that provided the country with a constitution, and they have been involved in constitutional development for three generations.

He emphasized that if Pakistan exists today, strong and united, it is due to the 1973 constitution.

He noted that they have seen authoritarian periods and how the honorable judges allowed a dictator to undermine the constitution, forgetting it for a decade and handing over all power to the dictator.

He recalled the shameful fact that judges permitted the dictator to amend the constitution.

Bilawal remarked that even during that time, Benazir Bhutto would appear before judges, who would lecture her on the constitution. They were labeled corrupt, with the insinuation that the constitution and law did not apply to them.

A politician was imprisoned for eleven and a half years to blackmail the defenseless (Benazir).

He pointed out that once the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) oath is taken, it is considered acceptable, but if the same oath is taken again, it poses a threat to democracy and the constitution.

He stated that they had created a Charter of Democracy for the people.

He expressed the intention to bring reforms to the judiciary, asserting that legislation and constitutional development cannot be done through the courts.

He emphasized the necessity for an constitutional court to ensure immediate justice for citizens and prevent disparities among provinces. This federal court would consist of representatives from all provinces, with the Chief Justice rotating from each province.

He criticized the allocation of 90 percent of court time to political cases while public cases are often neglected, hence the need for an constitutional court dedicated to constitutional matters.

He added that no judge has the courage to come to Sindh and declare the construction of the Kalabagh Dam.

He noted that the 19th constitutional amendment emerged due to threats from the court, as those responsible for delivering justice threatened to repeal the 18th amendment.

Parliament was threatened that their entire constitution could be altered. They were warned that amendments would be made to the constitution for not reconsidering the appointment of judges.

He lamented that the court has failed in fulfilling its responsibilities and that the judicial system is broken, but they will restore the judiciary through judicial reforms.

Bilawal asserted that the institutions must perform their designated functions. The constitutional court will specifically address constitutional issues.

He emphasized that the establishment of the constitutional court is necessary to prevent any future Prime Minister from being hanged and to ensure justice for the people.

He expressed respect for both Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah. He highlighted the need for consensus among political parties regarding the age limit for judges, acknowledging that this condition may become contentious.

However, he insisted that the issue of age should not apply to the constitutional court; instead, the term of the judges should be defined.