Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), expressed concerns about the judiciary’s focus on political matters during his address to the Balochistan High Court Bar on Tuesday. He stated that the PPP has no reservations regarding whether Justice Qazi Faez Isa or Justice Mansoor Ali Shah leads the proposed Constitutional Court, emphasizing the party’s respect for both judges.
Bilawal highlighted that the PPP’s priority is strengthening judicial institutions rather than individual preferences. He praised Balochistan’s lawyers for their resistance against dictatorship and acknowledged the province’s ongoing struggles with terrorism.
He called for the abolition of “black laws” imposed by dictators and advocated for restoring the 1973 Constitution to its original form. Additionally, he criticized contempt of court laws, questioning whether lifelong punishment for speaking against judges aligns with freedom of expression.
Bilawal also raised concerns about the judiciary’s current focus on political issues, which he believes distracts from its core responsibilities. He advocated for the establishment of a Constitutional Court to ensure speedy justice and keep judges focused on constitutional matters. He stressed the importance of ending the notion of a “sacred cow” and establishing constitutional courts at both federal and provincial levels.
“The purpose of establishing the Constitutional Court is not to target a judge but to address a fundamental need, and I will continue to advocate for it,” Bilawal asserted.
