Islamabad: Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has issued an additional note in the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto case, stating that under criminal procedure law, a murder trial cannot be directly conducted by the High Court. In his note, he also highlighted a crucial acknowledgment made by former Chief Justice Naseem Hassan Shah, who later admitted that he had been under external pressure during the trial. Justice Afridi called this a “regrettable chapter” in the nation’s judicial history.
The Chief Justice further emphasized the importance of the dissenting notes written by Justices Drab Patel, Mohammad Aleem, and Safdar, who stood firm in their positions despite the challenging political environment of the time. He remarked that these dissenting opinions brought attention to the significance of the case, illustrating the courage and integrity of the three judges.
Justice Afridi noted that despite the dissenting opinions, the situation did not alter the judiciary’s credibility or impartiality. Instead, it reinforced the importance of an independent judiciary and the rule of law. He underscored that these events highlighted the need for a robust and autonomous judicial system in ensuring justice and transparency.
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In his concluding remarks, Justice Afridi opined that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had been denied a fair trial. He warned that if such incidents were not prevented in the future, they could undermine the transparency of the judicial system and erode public trust in the judiciary.
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This additional note by Chief Justice Afridi adds a significant dimension to the ongoing discourse surrounding the Bhutto case, further intensifying debates on judicial independence and the conduct of trials in Pakistan’s legal history.
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