Bilawal opposes amendments on military courts, reserved seats

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has opposed the government’s proposed constitutional amendment regarding military courts and reserved seats.

Talking to beat reporters at Zardari House in Islamabad, Bilawal said that the government has proposed amendments to Article 8 and Article 51, relating to military courts and reserved seats, but the PPP has refused to support to alter these provisions.

He said that those who scare tend to disappear from the political arena. Bilawal said that the timeline and deadline for the proposed constitutional amendments are the government’s concern, not that of the Pakistan People’s Party.

He said that while the government has the option to explore a conscience vote, but they (PPP) wants consensus on the constitutional amendments.

He said that the PPP wants to involve all political parties including Maulana Fazlur Rehman in discussions regarding the constitutional amendments.

Also read: Fazl says rejected constitutional amendment for curbing rights, expanding military role

He noted that the amendments would be introduced, sooner or later, after thorough discussions.

He pointed out that the top court issued an order on reserved seats during a holiday, and even the chief justice was unaware of it. He expressed the PPP’s desire for judicial reforms and equal rights for the provinces, noting that the establishment of courts would provide immediate relief to the people.

The PPP chief said that his party does not want a repeat of former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s behaviour. He also talked about Justice Muneeb’s stance in the ruling on Article 63-A.

He criticized the PTI’s approach, stating that the party and its founder were given every opportunity to engage, but they chose to remain indifferent.

He noted that PTI seeks dialogue with the establishment rather than with politicians.

Bilawal said that the PTI founder and his party were given every opportunity on every issue, but they showed a lack of seriousness.

“If the PTI founder had made political decisions since April 2022, he would have been the prime minister again today. Even now, the PTI founder wants to talk to the establishment instead of politicians. I don’t see any bright political future for Imran Khan,” he said adding that “We formed a committee for political consensus, but the PTI boycotted it as well.”

He said that as long as the NAB exists, political engineering will continue to happen in the country.