SC to revisit Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s death sentence in 12-year-old Presidential Reference

Previous Hearings & Legal Developments in Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s Case.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court is scheduled to reconsider the controversial death sentence handed to former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in a 12-year-old presidential reference. The nine-member larger bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, will hear the reference on December 12.

The decision to fix the case was made under Section 2(1) of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, by a committee comprising CJP Isa, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, and Justice Ijazul Ahsan. Other members of the bench include Justice Masood, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminud Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Musarrat Hilali.

Former President Asif Ali Zardari approached the apex court on April 2, 2011, through a presidential reference under Article 186 of the Constitution, seeking the court’s opinion on revisiting Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s trial. The last hearing was on November 11, 2022.

In earlier hearings, an 11-member bench, led by former Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, conducted five hearings in the presidential reference. The case saw shifts, including the suspension of Babar Awan, the government’s lawyer, and adjournments due to changes in legal representation.

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In a related matter, the Supreme Court has also fixed the petition of sacked Islamabad High Court Judge Shaukat Siddiqui, challenging his removal for misconduct, on December 14.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: Architect of Pakistan’s Political Landscape

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a towering figure in the history of Pakistan, left an indelible mark on the country’s political landscape. Born on January 5, 1928, in Larkana, Bhutto belonged to a prominent political family. His father, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, served as a prominent politician and his ancestral roots were deeply embedded in the socio-political fabric of Sindh.

Bhutto’s educational journey took him to the United States and England, where he excelled academically. Armed with degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Oxford, he returned to Pakistan with a vision for his homeland’s future.

Entering politics in the 1950s, Bhutto initially aligned himself with President Iskander Mirza and later with military dictator Ayub Khan. His articulate and charismatic persona quickly propelled him to significant political positions. Bhutto served as the Foreign Minister under Ayub Khan but eventually parted ways due to policy disagreements.

The turning point in Bhutto’s political career came with the 1970 general elections. His Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) won a landslide victory in West Pakistan, and Bhutto’s adept political maneuvering led to his appointment as the President of Pakistan.

One of Bhutto’s most enduring legacies was the 1973 Constitution, which marked a crucial step towards democracy in Pakistan. As the architect of the new constitution, he aimed to empower the people and establish a parliamentary system. The document provided for fundamental rights, provincial autonomy, and the creation of an independent judiciary.

However, Bhutto’s rule faced challenges and controversies. The handling of the Bangladesh crisis in 1971, resulting in the secession of East Pakistan, remains a contentious chapter. The allegations of rigging in the 1977 elections and subsequent protests led to his ousting in a military coup.

Tragically, Bhutto’s life took a dramatic turn, and he faced trial on charges of conspiracy to commit murder. Despite international appeals for clemency, Bhutto was executed on April 4, 1979.

The legacy of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto endures in Pakistan’s political consciousness. Many admirers celebrate him as a visionary leader who championed the cause of the common man, while critics question some aspects of his policies and decisions.

Decades after his death, Bhutto’s family continues to play a significant role in Pakistani politics. His daughter, Benazir Bhutto, became the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan in 1988, and his grandson, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, carries the political torch forward.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s life and career remain a subject of scholarly analysis, political discourse, and public fascination. Whether hailed as a charismatic leader or critiqued for certain political choices, there is no denying the profound impact he had on shaping the course of Pakistan’s history.