Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), expressed that Justice Mansoor Ali Shah is likely to succeed as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan. In a recent conversation with ARY News, Bilawal praised both the current and upcoming Chief Justices, hailing them as respectable figures within Pakistan’s judiciary.
Discussing the challenges within the judicial system, Bilawal reflected on the decades-long wait for justice in the Zulfikar Bhutto murder case, calling for a reform of the justice system to ensure timely verdicts.
Bilawal also weighed in on the controversial constitutional amendments currently under discussion, stressing the importance of achieving consensus before moving forward. He noted that previous amendments often lost their significance over time or were eventually overturned. “This is not an ordinary constitutional amendment,” he remarked, advocating for a careful, collaborative approach.
Further, Bilawal praised Justice Qazi Faez Isa for voluntarily agreeing to reduce his own powers in favor of respecting the Parliament’s Practice and Procedure Bill. He highlighted that this step reflects a positive shift in balancing the power dynamics between the judiciary and the legislative bodies.
Addressing the ongoing debate about military courts for civilians, Bilawal reiterated the PPP’s stance against military trials. However, he stated that he is open to discussing this issue further with the government, considering the sensitive nature of military installations being targeted.
Bilawal also acknowledged the concerns raised by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) regarding Article 8 of the Constitution, agreeing that amendments should be postponed until there is broader agreement.
