Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has stressed the need for representation from all provinces in judicial decisions, urging that he should not be forced into legislation.
“If compelled, I will have to pursue an unwanted path,” he said while addressing a party rally in Hyderabad on Friday. “I will make a final appeal to [JUI-F chief] Maulana Fazlur Rehman and ask him to come along with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.”
TV footage showed a large number of people gathered for the rally. The Sindh-ruling party observed the 17th anniversary of the Karsaz tragedy.
“We want all provinces to be represented in judicial decisions. Our demand is legitimate, and you must accept it. The people of Pakistan stand with us.”
Bilawal added he has been meeting with Fazl and others for the past two months and plans to visit Islamabad Friday night for a meeting with the JUI-F chief. “I promise to return from Islamabad with a constitutional bench.”
The PPP chief reiterated his plea not to be pressured into legislation, adding: “If you do, I will have to take my undesired route. This is my last request to Maulana: come yourself and bring the PTI with you.”
He added: “We can no longer wait. I will work on legislation together with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and extra members. The court will not be involved; I have suggested forming a bench with equal representation.”
The PPP chairman stated that the establishment of a federal court was a demand of his late mother and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, aimed at protecting the rights of the people.
He claimed that Benazir was well-acquainted with the judiciary, understanding its nature better than anyone else. “I am not part of the federal cabinet; I am here to fulfill the legacy of Shaheed Benazir.”
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Bilawal added that the people of Pakistan stand behind their demands, emphasizing that citizens were calling for equality, rejecting any notions of a “One Unit” system. He noted that the demand for a unified system was also made by the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
He referenced Jinnah’s remarks during the Round Table Conference, stating that no single court should hold excessive power. “One court should provide justice in criminal and civil cases, while another should address constitutional and federal issues. This was the demand of our founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,” he said.
