Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has underscored the crucial importance of maintaining an apolitical judiciary in the country. In a recent interview with a private television channel, he highlighted the government’s lack of a two-thirds majority necessary for constitutional amendments and expressed his intention to engage with Maulana Fazlur Rehman on the matter.
Bilawal criticized the government for not consulting the PPP on judicial reforms before making public announcements, particularly noting that the law minister unveiled plans for reforming the Supreme Court without prior discussions with his party. He emphasized that direct intervention in the judicial reform process is unacceptable, reiterating the PPP’s long-standing opposition to military courts, which has been a key point in their manifesto.
While acknowledging that both the PPP and the government agree on the need for judicial reforms, he suggested that the proposed amendments could have been communicated more effectively. “If the government has different proposals for judicial reforms, they should be discussed openly,” Bilawal remarked, advocating for transparency and collaboration in the reform process.
Continuing his critique, Bilawal emphasized that political stability can only be achieved through cooperation among political forces. He accused the founders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of disregarding the Charter of Democracy, portraying it as a compromise, and claimed they lack a genuine commitment to enhancing democracy and governance in Pakistan.
He noted that Pakistan has matured into a democratic nation, overcoming past challenges, and reminded everyone that PTI leaders previously stated they would accept accountability and imprisonment if required. Bilawal condemned the PTI’s portrayal of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as a beneficial institution, suggesting that the PTI leadership seeks support from the establishment to regain political power.
Bilawal reiterated that the PPP is not an obstacle to political stability and is open to discussions on electoral reforms, acknowledging existing concerns about the electoral process. While he welcomes constructive criticism from the PTI within Parliament, he emphasized that the parliamentary committee is not limited to a single agenda, providing room for dialogue with PTI and other parties.
Moreover, he accused PTI leaders of making baseless allegations against key figures such as the Army Chief and the Chief Justice of Pakistan, asserting that their economic policies have adversely affected the nation. He particularly criticized Imran Khan for undermining agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stating that the PTI has contributed to the current economic crisis and rising inflation in Pakistan.
