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SC to hear reference against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto death sentence next week

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  • Nine-member bench, headed by CJP, to hear reference.
  • Last hearing of reference was held on Nov 11, 2022.
  • SC to also hear IHC ex-judge Shaukat Siddiqui plea on removal.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court is set to take up the 12-year-old presidential reference on revisiting the controversial death sentence awarded to former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto next week, The News reported Friday. 

A nine-member larger bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, will hear the presidential reference on reconsideration of Bhutto’s death sentence judgment on December 12.

The decision to fix the instant case was made under Section 2(1) of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, by a three-member committee comprising CJP Isa, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and Justice Ijazul Ahsan.

According to Supreme Court Registrar Jazeela Aslam, the other members of the larger bench are Justice Masood, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminud Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Musarrat Hilali.

It is pertinent to mention that former president Asif Ali Zardari, on April 2, 2011, had approached the apex court through a presidential reference under Article 186 of the Constitution to seek its opinion on revisiting the trial of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The last hearing of the reference was held on November 11, 2022.

Earlier, an 11-member larger bench of the apex court, headed by former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, had conducted five hearings in the presidential reference.

Babar Awan, the then federal law minister in the PPP regime, had earlier appeared as the federal government’s lawyer in the case and presented lengthy arguments. However, on January 17, 2012, Awan’s law practice license was suspended for criticising the court’s order in the Memogate case. Later, the case was adjourned due to a change of counsel who were appearing in the instant reference.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has also fixed the petition of sacked Islamabad High Court (IHC) Judge Shaukat Siddiqui challenging his removal for misconduct on December 14.

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On Friday, PTI calls for nationwide protests.

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PTI called for a nationwide walkout on Friday (tomorrow) in opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment package, citing its founder Imran Khan’s incarceration as unfair treatment, and demanding access to the jailed leader for attorneys, PTI leaders, and supporters.

Within a meeting, the PTI’s leaders resolved to stage a nationwide protest, the party claimed in a statement released on Wednesday.

In both houses of the parliament, every effort was decided to be made to obstruct the path of modification, according to the statement.

As well as advocate Intizar Hussain Panjotha, Azam Swati, and all other jailed leaders, activists, and members of parliament—including the president of Tehreek-e-Insaf Balochistan—the party’s political committee demanded their release. Aleema and Uzma Khanum are the sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan.

The PTI requested that following Friday prayers, regional organizations stage a nonviolent demonstration at district headquarters.

It argued that the constitutional change is an unacceptable attempt by the administration to distort the Constitution.

In a statement, it was stated that Imran Khan’s release was sought and that both chambers of parliament had decided to do all within their power to obstruct the amendment.

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The National Assembly is expected to assemble on October 18 to approve proposed constitutional modifications.

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It is anticipated that the National Assembly will meet on October 18 or 19 to ratify the proposed 26th constitutional amendment.

The National Assembly Secretariat has reportedly been instructed to get ready for the important gathering, according to sources.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has expressed strong opposition to the proposal, which seeks to overhaul the judiciary. The government coalition is pushing through its legislative agenda in spite of this opposition.

In the 342-member National Assembly, the constitutional modification bill needs 224 votes, or a two-thirds majority, to be approved. But with only 215 members, the ruling coalition is now not strong enough to form a majority.

111 members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), 70 members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), 22 members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), five members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), and smaller numbers from other affiliated parties like the National Party, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), and the Pakistan Muslim League-Zia make up the breakdown.

Political analysts speculate that the recent verdict by the Supreme Court on Article 63-A, which permits the votes of dissident members, may be crucial in obtaining the necessary majority given the size of the ruling coalition.

To get their support for the amendment, the administration might try to influence PTI-aligned lawmakers.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), has become a crucial player in this political equation. The backing of his party may be essential to guaranteeing the bill’s passing.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced yesterday that the constitutional amendment draft has been agreed upon. In an effort to strengthen his party’s position, he is scheduled to meet with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif tomorrow and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari today.

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C’MAN PPP Addresses Ceremony In Karachi: Following The Impact Of Climate Change, The Agriculture Sector Needs To Be Regulated

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Amid the consequences of climate change, the agriculture industry need regulation, according to Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

According to Bilawal Bhutto, agriculture is the backbone of the nation, as she stated during a ceremony in Karachi.

He claimed that during his first tenure in office, President Asif Ali Zardari moved historic measures to ensure the prosperity of farmers in the nation and supported small-scale farming.

According to Bilawal, the rights of the nation’s farmers and laborers have always been upheld by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.

He emphasized that the Pakistan People’s Party has consistently supported the rights of the poor and that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto made courageous choices to defend the rights of farmers.

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