ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC), in its unanimous judgment, on the presidential reference submitted to it regarding the execution of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB), on Wednesday stated that the former prime minister did not receive a just trial.
The apex court further stated that ZAB’s trial was not conducted in accordance with the law and the constitution.
The SC was of the opinion that judges were obligated to deliver judgments in accordance with the law. Furthermore, it stated that acknowledging past mistakes was essential for moving forward. “Judges must uphold their oath and be accountable,” said Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa while announcing the decision.
However, the CJP mentioned that detailed reasons for the verdict would be provided later.
The Supreme Court had reserved its verdict on Monday on the presidential reference seeking a review of the apex court’s 1979 decision in the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto murder case as it concluded proceedings on Monday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
A nine-judge bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa heard the presidential reference filed in 2011. Other members on the bench included Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Musarrat Hilali.
Concluding the hearing on Monday, CJP Qazi Faez Isa remarked, “Not today, but on another day we may sit down and reach a verdict.”
Speaking on the occasion, Raza Rabbani said that basic human rights were suspended at that time due to martial law in the country.
“At that time, military dictator General Ziaul Haq was the sole prosecutor,” he said, adding, “On the other hand, the government and the opposition had resolved their differences on elections.”
