On April 4th, 1979, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was executed, an act that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif referred to as a “judicial murder.” On Tuesday, during a National Assembly session, the Prime Minister compared this incident to a recent Supreme Court ruling on the delay of polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stated that justice had once again been assassinated, and this was a terrible incident.
The Prime Minister expressed his disappointment with the Supreme Court’s decision and said that the whole court should take up and determine the 12-year-old referral about the judicial murder of the late Prime Minister. He reminded everyone that the “judicial murder” of Bhutto’s case was known worldwide, and one of the old judges who had determined the case had accepted it. The Prime Minister also mentioned that Bhutto had played a significant role in the creation of Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution, and his historic contribution would always be recognized. He requested that everyone present in the house pray for Bhutto’s soul.
The Supreme Court panel, chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, has deemed Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa election postponement decision issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as “unconstitutional.” The panel also directed the electoral body to hold elections in the province on May 14th, overturning the ECP’s decision to postpone the elections until October 8th due to terror attacks, lack of security personnel, and an economic crisis.
Although the federal cabinet opposed the ruling, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which filed the petition against the delay, has applauded the court’s decision. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that the legal team was preparing for the next step, but the PTI believes that the ruling is a victory for democracy.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister’s comparison of the recent Supreme Court ruling with the “judicial murder” of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto has brought attention to the ongoing struggle for justice in Pakistan. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the ECP’s postponement of elections has sparked debate, with some praising it as a victory for democracy and others opposing it as a threat to the security of the province. Only time will tell how this decision will impact the future of democracy and justice in Pakistan.
