Bilawal asks SC to provide justice in Z.A. Bhutto case | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Bilawal asks SC to provide justice in Z.A. Bhutto case

NAUDERO: Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday said that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto reference case presently pending before the Supreme Court has provided a golden opportunity to the court to do justice to the great leader.

Addressing the Central Executive Committee meeting of the party held here on the eve of 33rd death anniversary of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, he said: “I expect the Supreme Court to finally provide us justice. Justice in the eyes of history – the court must set the record straight.”

Bilawal Zardari said, “We expect the Supreme Court to apologise for the role it played in the judicial murder of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.”

He said today the nation is mourning the death of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was a great leader, the first popularly elected Prime Minister and first ever Sindhi President and Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Bilawal Bhutto while referring to sacrifice of his grand father Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto said, “We mourn the murder of democracy. We mourn the murder of justice. We mourn for our country.”

He said Shaheed Bhutto was sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit.

Bilawal said unfortunately the courts have often stood on the wrong side of history that include doctrine of necessity, judicial murder of Shaheed Bhutto and the continued legitimization of violations of constitution.

Referring to lawyers movement, he said, it provided hope that Pakistan would have a truly independent and impartial judiciary adding that restoration of the judges by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani was a truly historic milestone for in the country.

He expressed the hope that now it is up to the courts to redeem their institutions sullied reputation in the eyes of history.

Hopeful Bilawal said the time will tell, and his is confident that the PPP will finally get the justice it deserves in the eyes of history.

“I am confident that the Supreme Court will deliver us this justice. I am confident the Supreme Court will not stand in the way,” he added.

He said there have been some positive developments in the decisions taken by the court to right the wrongs of the past.

“These developments give me the confidence to believe that the Bhuttos of Larkana will also get the justice they deserve,” he added.

Referring to the cases of Nawaz Sharif family, Bilawal said, these charges were squashed by the courts and expressed the hope that there will not be double standards by the courts.

He said, “I do not believe that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Larkana is hanged but he does not get justice from these courts while the Sharifs of Lahore are vindicated.”

He said start of the hearing of Asghar Khan Case by the Supreme Court is a positive development as her mother Shaheed Benazir Bhutto fought for more than a decade for this case to be heard.

He said, “I have no doubt the forces that conspired against the PPP and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto shall finally be exposed.”

Bilawal said its very worrying sign that more than 50 per cent of the terrorists presented before the courts have been freed due to lack of evidence and the fault lies with the prosecution.

He said it is very strange that how can there be enough evidence to keep Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani in prison for so long without a conviction but rapists and terrorists are set free.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the courts to revisit their flawed decision in the Mukhtara Mai case. He also urged the court to help keep the country safe by convicting terrorists for the atrocities they have committed.

While talking to Prime Minister he said, “Mr. Prime Minister you will not violate Vienna convention, you will not violate the Constitution of Pakistan, you will not desecrate the graves of our martyrs. You may lose your office. You may lose your government but you must do what is right. There is not only the Supreme Court; there is also the court of the people and the court of history.”

He prayed that the Supreme Court will once again choose to stand on the right side of history and there will not be double standards that the Shaheed Bhutto of Sindh was hanged but another Prime Minister from Punjab is freed.

He said Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto fought in every court in this country and around the world to maintain her innocence, while a former Prime Minister from Punjab, a self confessing, convicted accused is vindicated, while Shaheed Benazir Bhutto is put on trial from her grave.

Bilawal said that a Prime Minister who ransacked the Supreme Court is given better treatment over Serikie speaking prime minister who obeys the constitution and presents himself before the court is stripped of his constitutional rights.

He said, “I have faith in the Pakistan Peoples Party. I have faith in democracy. I have faith in Pakistan. I have faith in you Mr. Prime Minister.”

Dawn