Bilawal pushes for judicial reforms consensus with Maulana Fazl

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari aims to engage Maulana Fazl ur Rehman to build support in pushing for judicial reforms through a constitutional amendment.

In his remarks, the PPP chairman stated that his party has long been ‘committed’ to the cause of judicial reforms. “Our  party has been actively involved in advocating for for judicial changes for quite some time”, he said.

Bilawal acknowledged that there needed to be a cooperation between different political factions to bring about the controversial reforms that have been in stalemate for some time.

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In particular, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) run government and PPP need the support of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) chief, Maulana Fazl, to form enough majority to pass a constitutional reform in the National Assembly.

Bilawal questioned the current judicial framework, challenging the status quo by asking “can you name a country where judges select their own successors?”

The Oxford graduate criticised the judiciary’s current framework in what Bilawal perceives to be outside the judiciary’s jurisdiction. He cited instances where the country’s Supreme Court had intervened in matters such as commodity pricing and infrastructure development.

Bilawal Zardari claimed that the PPP was not only putting forth its own recommendations but was also receptive to the government’s input.

He urged the critics of the amendments to consider the ‘urgency’ of the situation. “If we can’t act now, when will we take action”, he asked.

The young chairman reflected on the historical challenges faced in implementing judicial reforms. Bilawal noted that past attempts were often thwarted, yet he remained ‘hopeful’.

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The PPP chairman said he was hopeful for ‘future progress’. He also expressed confidence that Maulana Fazlur Rehman would ultimately support the proposed reforms.

Bilawal then noted the two-thirds majority the parliament needs to pass any constitutional amendments. “The moment we achieve that majority, whether it is tomorrow or the day after, we will move forward”, he forewarned.