Bilawal Bhutto seeks justice for Bhutto
Liaquat Ali
Islamabad: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressing the media after attending a hearing of the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Presidential Reference at the Supreme Court Pakistan, said that he is present at the building where Asif Ali Zardari had sent a reference twelve years ago. Twelve years later, the hearing took place today, headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa. We are grateful to the judges for taking the decision to listen to this case at last.
Chairman Bilawal said that he had submitted an application in 2018, for this case to be heard and for him to be made a representative as a legal heir. We are grateful for getting the opportunity to be heard in this case along with our lawyers. While being a challenge for the judiciary, this case is also an opportunity to correct the mistakes of the past. We want justice for Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and surely, we demand the answers to the questions raised by the former President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari in his reference. We want for the stain on this institution and law to be removed. While a decision in this case cannot return the Quaid-e-Awam, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Mir Murtaza Bhutto, Shahnawaz Bhutto and the Jiyalas of the party who accepted martyrdom to us, but we can at least hope that the Chief Justice and his brother judges would do what they can at least. The nation should be told that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was labelled a ‘murderer’ was actually the victim, Chairman Bilawal said. Those who accused him were General Zia ul Haq and the entire system of the time which had been acting as a facilitator. We want to expose the perpetrators, including the dictator, judges, lawyers and politicians of the time.
The people of Pakistan had decided long ago that Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is innocent. They know that Henry Kissinger had said that ‘We will make a horrible example out of you’, but Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto gifted atomic power to the country and did not compromise on his principles. The people of this country know that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a leader of the Muslim Ummah, and not only did he unite the Muslim world, he made them realise their true potential. Even at the time, when our Palestinian brothers and sisters were suffering, it was the Quaid-e-Awam who made the Islamic leadership realise that the oil they possess is their strength. They collectively decided to apply an embargo till the Palestinian people are given relief. None of the leaders of the Muslim Ummah involved in this decision died a natural death.
“Our only appeal with the court is that history is rectified, this mistake is corrected and those involved in this crime are brought to book”, Chairman Bilawal said. The person Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was accused of attempting to murder is still alive and was present in the court, but Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was martyred. “Everyone calls Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto a martyr, is a murderer ever called so?”, Chairman Bilawal questioned. Chairman Bilawal said that the parameters of the case that involve our Constitution, law, Islamic jurisprudence and the laws of natural justice and whether they allow for someone to be sentenced to the gallows while the supposed subject of the conspiracy is still alive act as a jarring question mark. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was given a death sentence, but our religion, law and the Constitution do not allow that. We hope that our judiciary has decided not only to set history straight, but allow for the restoration of trust between the people and this institution, Chairman Bilawal said.
Chairman Bilawal said that the decision should be such that the path towards giving such a ruling is forever closed. This case is never quoted as a precedent in the country’s judicial history. While the case itself may not be quoted, the precedent of the manner in which the ruling of this case was dictated is still applied. We hope from, and it is our appeal to Justice Qazi Faez Isa and every single judge of the Supreme Court to close that door too. No one should attempt to control our Supreme Court in that manner again. Chairman Bilawal said that he is grateful to all the Jiyalas of the PPP who have struggled for this mission.
Responding to questions, Chairman Bilawal said that the first step towards setting the record straight is providing justice in Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s case. Every judge has taken an oath to protect the very Constitution whose founder was killed. It is hoped that we attain justice.
Chairman Bilawal said that it is hoped that not only the nation and the PPP are given relief in this case, but it is the right of the other parties to get justice as well, be it the PML-N or the PTI. Everyone has the right for their cases to be heard under the law and the Constitution. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s case has been pending for long and no one can attain true justice until he does. The people will not accept that they are given justice until the Quaid-e-Awam receives it, only after that can they wish to get justice for themselves. We believe that the lawyers, politicians, judiciary, the dictator and the other people who lied and are lying to this day should be exposed before the nation.
Responding to another question regarding the accusations made by Rao Anwar, Chairman Bilawal mentioned a slogan made by the Jiyalas of Lyaari, “Mian Tere Jaan-Nisar, Bashir Memon, Rao Anwar”.
Chairman Bilawal said that the judiciary has shown great courage as far as terrorism is concerned. Justice Qazi Faez Isa had given a strong ruling in the case revolving around what happened with the lawyers in Quetta. We hope that it is implemented. Our High Court judges and those from within the judiciary have accepted martyrdom, and we have all been a victim of terrorism which is why we should combat it collectively.
Chairman Bilawal said that as far as the election date is concerned, Justice Qazi Faez Isa himself said that it is written in stone that it will happen on February 8. Hence, it should not be questioned whether elections will take place on the exact date. Referring to President Zardari’s statement given in a recent interview, Chairman Bilawal said that he had stated that the elections will be held on time and his response upon being pressed further is being taken out of context. The PPP reposes hundred percent trust in Justice Qazi Faez Isa, and he himself has dismissed any uncertainty regarding the elections, Chairman Bilawal said. He further said that he would be the first person to speak out if there is any concern over a delay in this regard.
Chairman Bilawal said that it is the PPP long-standing stance that the institutions and politicians both should operate within their constitutional domains, and it is only after this is achieved that we can progress into a modern state. However, it is unfortunate that our politicians are still adamant on doing the same traditional politics that has brought nothing but harm to the country in the past, through creating a hyper-partisan and hyper-polarised atmosphere. We can only serve the people after burying the politics of hate and division, and then work collectively for the sake of the nation, Chairman Bilawal said.
