The Supreme Court (SC), in its unanimous opinion, on the presidential reference sent to it on the hanging of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB), on Wednesday said that the former prime minister did not get a fair trial. The apex court further said that ZAB’s trial was not in accordance with the law and the constitution. The SC was of the view that judges were bound to give verdicts as per law. Moreover, it said that there could be no way forward without admitting the mistakes made in the past. “Judges should never violate their oath and they should also hold themselves accountable,” said Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa while pronouncing the decision. However, the CJP said detailed reasons of the verdict would be given later. The Supreme Court had on Monday reserved its verdict on the presidential reference seeking 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. Wrapping up the hearing on Monday, CJP Qazi Faez Isa remarked ““Not today, but some other 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 since there was martial law in the country. “At that time military dictator General Ziaul Haq was the only prosecutor,” he said, and added, “On the other hand, the government and the opposition had sorted out their differences on elections.”  

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)