ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday adjourned hearing of the presidential reference regarding the reconsideration of the death sentence given to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and former prime minister. The court’s decision allows the proceedings to be televised on the state-run PTV.
A nine-member larger bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and including Justices Sardar Tariq Masood, Mansoor Ali Shah, Yahya Afridi, Aminud Din Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Musarrat Hilali, heard the presidential reference.
The presidential reference was filed in April 2011 by former president Asif Ali Zardari.
PPP lawyer Farooq H. Naek was present in court, while the federation is being represented by Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan. The AGP told the court that the case was last heard in 2012.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa expressed his regret over the delayed consideration of the case. He expressed disappointment that the Supreme Court had not taken up the matter sooner. Noting that a committee was established for direct action, he highlighted that the presidential reference remains in force as it has not been withdrawn.
The Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) stated that he has not received any instructions to refrain from hearing this reference. The CJP mentioned that a senior member initially declined to join the bench, and two more judges recused themselves for personal reasons. Subsequently, a nine-member bench was formed to address the matter.
