LARKANA: Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples’ Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari warned of deepening ‘constitutional crisis’ if larger bench is not constituted to hear polls delay case, fearing that it would lead to martial law in country. Talking to journalists here, he said that what is happening on matter of elections was in front of nation and country, urging judiciary to ask three judges about it.

Bilawal Bhutto noted that criticism of higher judiciary by judges is historical, saying that fellow judges have also expressed ‘lack of confidence’ on three-member bench, hearing petition by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf against postponement of Punjab elections. He urged Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial to constitute larger bench as per Constitution, saying that judges who were caught consulting with opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf should not be part of bench. “Nine-member bench has reduced to three judges,” he said, adding that nation will remember chief justice if larger bench is not formed.

He lambasted Imran Khan, saying that PTI Chairman was chief polling agent of former dictator General Pervez Musharraf. “Remnants of every political dictator have landed himself in PTI,” he added. He alleged that Imran Khan decided to release terrorists from jail and due to his decisions, nation is facing terrorism again.In message ahead of 44th martyrdom day anniversary of ex-PM, set to be marked today Foreign Minister said Zulfikar’s “Judicial murder” was “Black spot” on judicial system. He said that presidential reference regarding judicial murder of prime minister who gave country “Unanimous Constitution” has been pending in Supreme Court for past 12 years. “I appeal to Supreme Court that presidential reference sent by President Asif Ali Zardari under Article 186 on April 2, 2011, should be fixed for early hearing.” Paying glowing tribute to Bhutto, he said that under his leadership, Pakistan crossed many milestones in political, diplomatic, economic, defence and social terms.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 04 2023

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