https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistans-top-court-likely-rule-khans-bid-block-ouster-2022-04-07/
Thursday, April 7, 2022
Pakistan's top court rules against Imran Khan, bringing his ouster closer
By Asif Shahzad and Syed Raza Hassan
Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that Prime Minister Imran Khan's move to dissolve parliament was unconstitutional and called for lawmakers to return in two days, a decision that could spell the end of his premiership.
The former cricket star had moved to dissolve the lower chamber ahead of a no-confidence vote against him that he had looked destined to lose. The court said in its judgment that the vote would now go ahead.
The constitutional crisis has threatened economic and social stability in the nuclear-armed nation of 220 million people, with the rupee currency hitting all-time lows earlier on Thursday and foreign exchange reserves tumbling.When opposition parties united against Khan last week to push for the no-confidence motion, the deputy speaker of parliament, a member of Khan's party, threw out the motion, ruling it was part of a foreign conspiracy and unconstitutional.
Khan then dissolved parliament.
Thursday's ruling could spell the premature end of Khan's tenure in a country where no elected leader has finished their full term in office.
The 69-year-old, who steered Pakistan to cricket World Cup victory in 1992, came to power in 2018 after rallying the country behind his vision of a corruption-free, prosperous nation respected on the world stage.
But it appears that the firebrand nationalist's fame and charisma may not be enough to keep him in power.
If Khan were to lose the no-confidence vote, the opposition could nominate its own prime minister and hold power until August 2023, by which date fresh elections have to be held.
The opposition has said it wants early elections, but only after delivering a political defeat to Khan and passing legislation it says is required to ensure the next polls are free and fair.
Pakistan's election commission said on Thursday that the earliest it could hold the ballot was October.
The crisis is a worry for economic policymakers in Pakistan, that is in the middle of an International Monetary Fund bailout.
The Pakistan rupee took a battering on Thursday as the country awaited the court's judgment, hitting record lows.
"As (the) dollar continues to soar, a massive economic meltdown is staring the country in the face," Shehbaz Sherif, an opposition leader who is among the favourites to replace Khan as prime minister, said in a tweet.
It also threatens relationships with long-time ally the United States, who Khan has blamed for being behind a conspiracy to overthrow him. Washington denies this.
An Open Letter to the Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial by Concerned Academics and Citizens on the prevailing political and constitutional crisis
Dear Justice Umar Ata Bandial,
We are a group of senior academics, civil society representatives, and concerned citizens. We are writing to put forth our grave concerns over the prevailing political and constitutional crisis. We are sure that your unwavering commitment to the Constitution of Pakistan and unbounded passion for justice will guide the nation through these troubled times and hope that you will give due consideration to our assertions below:
The Constitution of Pakistan represents the social contract between the state and the society. It provides the framework to govern the country. It is the basis for cooperation between the federating units. It is a sacred covenant between all sections of the society and the ultimate expression of the collective will of the people. It guarantees the fundamental rights of citizens and provides due process to place necessary limits on the exercise of executive authority. Unconditional and strict adherence to the constitution is the only way to establish and sustain a peaceful, civilized and prosperous society and avoid widespread lawlessness and anarchy.
We have noted with enormous distress the aggressive and contemptuous manner in which the Constitution of Pakistan was violated by the outgoing government. This is a major threat to the social cohesion and well-being of the nation. This action has brought us to the ignominious juncture where the ‘doctrine of necessity’ is again being invoked by some to suspend due process and violate the fundamental right to vote on the basis of unsubstantiated claims of alleged foreign interference in the political process.
The decisions you take today concerning the supremacy of Constitution will shape the destiny and trajectory of our national existence. As concerned citizens, we therefore request that following principles are considered while addressing the matter:
1. The due process prescribed in the Constitution must be followed in letter and spirit and no compromises be made under any pretext to justify unlawful and unconstitutional actions.
2. Responsibility should be fixed in case subversion of the Constitution is established during the proceedings and exemplary retribution ensured to deter any future excesses.
3. An independent judicial commission comprising serving judges of the Supreme Court should be established to adjudicate the evidence regarding the alleged foreign conspiracy to subvert the political process in the country.
4. All state institutions must be directed to remain in their constitutional boundaries.
5. Political process must be allowed to proceed unhindered and take its own course within the confines and in accordance with the Constitution.
6. All political parties must be directed to avoid hate-mongering and deepening social fissures on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations and assertions.
The honour and well-being of our future generations lie only in adherence to the Constitution and inclusive politics epitomizing mutual acceptance of mandates, a level playing field, and the basic norms of decency.
Today, we pin all our hopes on your lordship to uphold the Constitution and stand by the people of Pakistan in this hour of need.
Sincerely,
https://en.humsub.com.pk/3934/open-letter-to-cjp/
#PakistanSupremeCourt - Speaker’s ruling case: Disputed verdict to make judiciary, next elections controversial, warns Bilawal
Bilawal Bhutto rejects the “doctrine of necessity", saying it’s not acceptable now.
Speaking on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, Bilawal Bhutto rejected the “doctrine of necessity", saying it’s not acceptable now.
“In the past, we have seen the doctrine of necessity which is not acceptable now, therefore, we should look towards the Constitution of Pakistan only," he asserted.
“We want the court decision regarding the deputy speaker’s unconstitutional ruling to be in favour of the Constitution. It should not be in mine or Imran Khan's favour,” he added.
Responding to PML-Q’s decision to join PTI, Bilawal said that despite the breach of promise by PML-Q, the Opposition still had a majority.
“We [the joint Opposition] have proved a majority in the Centre as well in Punjab,” he said.
The PPP chairperson said that PM Imran Khan had abrogated the Constitution of Pakistan and ran away.
“Now we hope that [the] judiciary will steer [the] country out of this constitutional crisis," he said, adding that, “we believe the court decision will restore democracy in the country and make institutions uncontroversial too.”
He opined that election reforms were necessary for a transparent election in the country.
“By making election reforms, we can get out of the crisis we have been facing from [the] last 30 years,” he said. But he added that PM Imran Khan dissolved Parliament in an unconstitutional way, so the Opposition could not get the time for election reforms.
'Transparent and fair election'
Bilawal went on to say that they want a transparent and fair election.
The PPP chairperson also lambasted PM Imran Khan for "fabricating a false narrative of a foreign conspiracy".
He was speaking about the ‘threat letter’ that PM Imran Khan brandished at a jalsa at D-chowk. Since then, the PM is labelling the Opposition leaders as traitors for hatching a plot to topple his government.
Subsequently, the PM called an NSC meeting and presented the letter. However, following the directions of the meeting, a ‘demarche’ was issued to the US envoy.
Bilawal said that PM Imran Khan had attempted to drag institutions into politics, saying that the NSC meeting was called solely for political purposes and stirred up an issue of an international conspiracy.
“The way the PM is building up a narrative, a clarification should be issued in this regard,” he said, adding that, “He [PM] is fabricating a false narrative against PPP as NSC’s meeting statement did not mention any conspiracy.”
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/948157-speakers-ruling-case-disputed-verdict-to-make-judiciary-next-elections-controversial-warns-bilawal
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
#Pakistan - ‘Constitutional Coup’ Threatened in Pakistan
Patricia Gossman
Imran Khan Dissolves Parliament to Remain in Office.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s move on Sunday to dissolve parliament rather than face a no-confidence vote that could remove him from power effectively deprives Pakistani citizens of their right to choose their government.On April 3, Qasim Khan Suri, the deputy speaker of Pakistan’s national assembly, dismissed a no-confidence motion against the prime minister. Claiming that “loyalty to the state was the basic duty of every citizen,” and that the no-confidence move was a “foreign conspiracy,” Suri refused to allow the vote. Khan’s government then dissolved the national assembly and called for new elections in 90 days.
The move has plunged Pakistan into constitutional crisis. Under Pakistan’s constitution, the prime minister ceases to hold office if a majority of the National Assembly votes for a motion of no confidence – Imran Khan’s party appeared to have lost its majority by April 3. The action allows Khan to continue as prime minister until a caretaker government takes over, with neither a national assembly nor a federal cabinet.
Legal experts, journalists, and rights group have condemned Khan’s maneuver as an assault on the country’s democracy. Now the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which took up the matter on April 3, is the only constitutional body empowered to adjudicate on the legality of the government’s dissolution. A hearing is scheduled on Wednesday, April 6.
The situation prior to the no-confidence vote was already fraught. Government officials threatened to “blow up the opposition in a suicide attack” and called on supporters to go out and take “traitors” to task. One member of parliament from Khan’s party tweeted that all opposition members should be shot – a tweet he subsequently deleted. Senior members of Khan’s party have called for opposition members to be arrested for treason.
Imran Khan’s dissolution of parliament to prevent it from voting so that he could remain in office threatens core democratic principles. It infringes on the rights of Pakistani citizens to choose their government, which is protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The government’s threatened use of violence, allegations of treason, and abrogation of the constitution are hallmarks of dictatorship, which Pakistanis have previously endured and should not have to endure again.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/05/constitutional-coup-threatened-pakistan#
Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s message on World Health Day
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that provisioning of the state of the art, free of cost medical facilities to the people and revamping and up-gradation of the public health system is what the PPP has always aimed at and continues to taking due steps to ensure true applicability of its plans.It is the obligation of the state to take steps towards free of cost provisioning of the medical facilities among the citizens particularly to those downtrodden populous that does not meet the additional burden, added the PPP Chairman. According to a statement issued from Media Cell Bilawal House, the PPP chairman in his message on the occasion of ‘World Health Day’ said that the statistics regarding People’s access to the health facilities in Pakistan points at disappointing situation. Since a mentionable population of up to 40 percent approximately in the country lives under the poverty line due to which the targeted populous can’t meet the huge medical expenses and hence can’t be left at the mercy of health care system in the private sector, he added. The PPP Chairman was of the view that even not a single tertiary care hospital wasn’t established in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan during last many years.Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that his party’s governments had always taken the due responsibility for standard public health.He added that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto took a revolutionary step in Pakistan’s public health sector by founding Lady Health Workers in the 90’s, which is the backbone of country’s healthcare system today.He said that the Sindh government has, despite limited resources, always taken drastic measures for the improvement and upgradation of standard and free of cost health facilities for the masses. He pointed out that the PPP-led Sindh government has set up more than 500 small and large health centers and hospitals across the province till date. Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Gambut Institute of Medical Sciences and Dow Medical University of Health Sciences have been revamped. The CyberKnife robotic radiosurgery set up for cancer patients at JPMC is also a blessing for the patients suffering from cancers. He said that above all, the ailing people receive free treatment in these aforementioned healthcare facilities. In addition, these facilities equally cater to medical needs of the people from other cities and provinces, reminded the PPP Chairman.He further said that the Sindh government, under its ‘Health for All’ policy, has opened the door to free state of the art free medical services for every Pakistani.Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reiterated his firm resolve that soon after sweeping next general elections in the country, the PPP-led governments would make the dream of setting up health facilities like Gambut Institute of Medical Sciences, SICVD and Cyber Knife technology a reality in other provinces, too, because other three provinces seriously lag far behind Sindh with regard to health system in Sindh.The PPP chairman also endorsed the World Health Organization’s theme for the World Health Day this year, ‘Our Planet, Our Health’. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari paid growing tribute to those front-line health workers and doctors who embraced martyrdom during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-polio campaigns.
https://www.ppp.org.pk/pr/26768/
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
#Pakistan #PPP - The Supreme Court has the opportunity to rectify mistakes-Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Bhutto Zardari post the meeting of the Party’s Central Executive Committee said that on every martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, we hold our CEC meeting and today, I congratulated the members of the CEC on the demise of the selected rule due to their struggle. He said that the governments are not removed by long marches but we started our Awami march from Karachi and I kept challenging Imran Khan to resign or face the no-confidence motion at every station. Then, we democratically attacked the parliament and he ran away. This is the most cowardly defeat in the history of Pakistan. The CEC has decided to arrange Iftaari in districts to celebrate the end of this regime. Imran ran away from the federal government and now is trying to run away from Punjab as well. We are striving for the restoration of democracy, the supremacy of the constitution, and the rule of law. Imran Khan abrogated the constitution and we do not pardon a person who has ever violated the constitution. We will not pardon Imran Khan. We hope that the Supreme Court will support the constitution and democracy. The democratic and constitutional way in our eyes is for the no-confidence to resume from where it was stopped. All institutions were made controversial due to a single man. Now is the chance for the judiciary and the establishment to rectify the mistakes of 2018, the judiciary should take advantage of this. Our judiciary was made to be disputed during the era of Justices Gulzar and Saqib Nisar. Chairman Bilawal said ‘Pakistan is at a fork of the road, we can either return to a democratic and less polarized environment or take the path where the next elections will also be disputed’. If we do not rectify our mistakes, then I can see violence. Imran is using the foreign conspiracy and levelling false accusations to save himself by using the national security forum. If the responsible institutions were present in the NSC meeting, then it is necessary for them to clarify the situation. Did the NSC declare the entire opposition as traitors? If we are traitors then we should all have been arrested. This is not an ordinary accusation we want clarity on this and we do not expect that Imran Khan has the authority to respond to this question. There must be some correspondence and reports about this cable. Where are they? This is a blatant lie of Imran Khan. We will keep protesting until the clarification comes if it is not done, then our response woiulwod be really harsh and everyone will see that. The CEC decided to consult the joint opposition to bring a no-confidence e in Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, and KP as well, Chairman Bilawal said. We will also be successful in this effort. We have concerns about security and political and economic stability. The CEC has decided to hold its next meeting after the Supreme Court’s verdict. Responding to the questions of the journalists, Chairman PPP said that Imran abused the diplomatic cable. I want clarification on it. Imran’s narrative is not selling because every Pakistani is bearing the cost of his economic policies. The people will vote for their economic well-being and not the false foreign policy. Answering a question, Chairman Bilawal said that he 100% agrees with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, if the matter is not resolved, we will protest so strongly that it will be historic. I will lead that protest with Maulana sahib in every nook and corner of the country. Imran Khan has been a stooge and puppet of the internal powers as well as the western powers. He was planted to sabotage the CPEC, foreign policy, harm the Kashmir Cause, and support Modi. Imran Khan received foreign funding from India and Israel.
People have recognized Imran Khan and his lies. If the establishment, we should encourage and welcome it. We want a constitutional and democratic verdict in our case. The court has an opportunity to benefit itself, the parliament, and democracy. Whosoever was involved in unconstitutional steps is a criminal, including the President, PM, Speaker, and Deputy-Speaker. The case should be decided in such a manner that the unconstitutional decision is tackled right from where it began. There should be an open clarification because the accusation was labeled openly.
https://www.ppp.org.pk/pr/26764/
Monday, April 4, 2022
#Pakistan #QuaideAwam - Z. A. Bhutto’s legacy
By Bashir Riaz
Shaheed Bhutto’s courage was also reflected throughout his life and political career. He gave ordinary Pakistanis a voice. He brought his country respect and dignity on international political stage. Bhutto was a charismatic leader of great intellect and vision. He did not believe in a compromised foreign policy. He imagined Pakistan as a strong and independent nation of the Muslim World. He spoke about the Kashmir issue in the UN and always defended oppressed people on international forums. He started Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
These were the qualities that made the common people admire him. These same qualities, however, became a thorn in the side for his opponents. They became extremely fearful of Bhutto’s popularity. Perhaps Zia knew that Bhutto had the courage to invoke Article 6 of the constitution against him if freed. Article 6 states: “Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.”
To save himself, Ziaul Haq decided that releasing Bhutto was not an option and he proceeded to eliminate the Bhutto threat by executing him. However, he failed to remove Bhutto from the hearts and minds of the people. Those who opposed Bhutto at the time of Zia now regret their error. Even today, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is remembered as a man of principles and the master of dialogue. He remains an integral part of the landscape of Pakistan’s politics.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto came from a comfortable background. He attended Christ Church College, Oxford, and briefly practised law in London. After returning to Pakistan, he started his law practice in Karachi. He was a well-off young lawyer who turned to politics and won people’s hearts. He wanted to make a difference in the lives of the ordinary people and he wanted to bring them respect as citizens of Pakistan.
When Bhutto became the foreign minister in Ayub Khan’s government, he started leaning towards China and turned against Ayub’s pro-American stance. After resigning from Ayub’s government, he founded the Pakistan Peoples Party and emerged as a beloved leader of the people.
Shaheed Bhutto’s biggest success is his legacy that is alive even today. After his death, his wife Begum Nusrat Bhutto and daughter Benazir Bhutto both faced house arrests and hardships during Zia’s time, who wanted to quash Bhutto’s political legacy once and for all. His nefarious plans were foiled.
Benazir Bhutto was determined to fight for democracy in Pakistan and became the first woman prime minister in the Muslim world. After her un-timely death, the torch of the Bhutto’s political legacy is now with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is determined to carry forward his grandfather’s legacy. The PPP is still an undeniable force in Pakistani politics, four decades after Shaheed Bhutto’s assassination. Zinda hai Bhutto, zinda hai!
The writer is the former press secretary for Benazir Bhutto, chairperson of the Bhutto Legacy Foundation, and senior adviser to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/947162-bhutto-s-legacy
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto - April 4, 1979 ... The darkest day in the history of Pakistan
By M Waqar
Historians, Retired Judges of the Superior Courts, and eminent lawyers have now unanimously admitted that Mr. Z.A Bhutto was hanged by a military dictator General Zia-Ul Haq by orchestrating a judicial trial to get rid of a popular leader.
He gave Pakistan its first constitution, nuclear program, held peace talks with India, and brought 90,000 POWs who were in an Indian prison and were going to face war crimes.
He liberated the small farmers and peasants from the repression and cruelty of big landlords and banished the jagirdari and sardari system declaring that all citizens are born equal and must live with equal rights. Z.A Bhutto was a Legend, who lived and died like a hero with courage, determination, and devotion to his principles, when cruel dictator Zia was going to kill him, Z.A Bhutto could sign few papers and could live in exile but he was a real man, he was not a coward. He too could have made a deal and lived to fight another day, but only great men with principles sacrifice their life for their cause.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto earned everlasting fame in the pantheon of leaders from the Third World in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism. He had the privilege of interacting with many of those leaders who played a great role in the epic struggle for national independence in the 20th Century including Mao Tse Tung, Soekarno, Chou-en Lai, and Gamal Abdel Nasser. He belonged to a category of anti-imperialist leaders who included Jamal Nasir of Egypt and Jawahir Lal Nehru of India.
He was a brilliant Diplomat who negotiated some of Pakistan's most enduring diplomatic policies as well as bargaining from a position of weakness against Indira Gandhi in Simla. He was a great diplomat; there is a story that American President John F. Kennedy was much impressed with then Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. When they met, Kennedy walked with him in the Rose Garden and said, "Bhutto, if you were an American, you would be in my Cabinet". To which Zulfikar Ali Bhutto smilingly replied, "No, Mr. President. If I were an American, you would be in my cabinet".
A Pan Islamic socialist who weakened the Feudal and tribal system. He also pushed through Pakistan's nuclear program despite enormous International pressure. He was also a brilliant politician whose popularity and powerful speeches impressed even his worst opponents. It took a great man to get Pakistan out of the 71 trauma. A dynamic leader, who stood up against imperialism and looked to China and other progressive countries for an alliance. When he was Prime Minister, the country prospered and was set on a course of industrial and agricultural development. He gained popularity in villages and poor industrial areas.
Bhutto was the only true leader in our history who gave us a constitution, and identity in international relations. You will be surprised to know when Bhutto became a Foreign Minister, at that time; we did not have ambassador-level relations with so many big countries of the world like Indonesia, etc. He empowers the poor of his country.
Such people like Z.A BHUTTO are born rarely, who will forget his capabilities as an extempore speaker, a writer, a diplomat, a leader, and above all a lover of the poor. On the day of his martyrdom, his opponents called him a culprit but are now calling him an innocent. The simple reason for this is that Zia tried his best to create divisions among people in order to finish the popularity of Bhutto. The irony is all those who hatched a conspiracy against him are no more in this mortal world, all of them died a horrible death. Bhutto was the greatest leader we can think of in modern history.
In his book "If I Am Assassinated", Bhutto clearly mentions his fear of 120 million Pakistanis under a defenseless sky in comparison to a nuclear India. What a vision! India could have swallowed Pakistan long ago if thanks to Bhutto we were not an atomic power. On the economic front, Bhutto's vision for nationalization was that Pakistanis will work hard as the Chinese, but here Pakistanis failed him. The labor and the management of nationalized industry had no interest to take advantage of this opportunity. Using this as a golden opportunity, the industrialists, bureaucrats, and above all corrupt army declared him an unsuccessful leader. Bhutto loved the poor and the poor loved Bhutto. This relationship is ever-lasting. The first leader legislated labor laws and enforced them in Pakistan and nobody could do it till now. This is the reason for his popularity among laborers. He tried to unite the Islamic world. Pakistan is still under developing country because Bhutto is not alive.
Z.A Bhutto is the first person in Pakistan who has given a voice to the common people.
Z.A Bhutto was a great charismatic leader, the man of the masses, a top-class negotiator, an excellent communicator, a visionary, known for mercurial brilliance, wit, and a highly well-read person. He attracted mammoth crowds where ever he addressed public meetings even in remote regions of the country. He was a man of masses because of his personal charm and charisma and the one who spoke in the language of workers, laborers, peasants, and the people in the streets. He would make the people feel that he was one of them, understood them, had solutions to their problems, and give them roti, kapra aur makan. He might have given all these things to them if his government had not become a target of the establishment's conspiracies.
ZA Bhutto's Powerful Political Legacy Cannot be eliminated. In no time Bhutto had made a tremendous impact all around. As Minister for Fuel and Power, he had diverse explorers tapping into Pakistan's underground hidden energy resources. For the first time, Russians were involved in oil and gas exploration. His time as Minister for Science and Technology was well spent. He could measure the advancements made by India in the atomic field. I can't help grieving the tragic death of a Hero who paid with his life to set an ultimate example of principled politics. I hope we honor Shaheed Bhutto by giving to the weak and less fortunate people of Pakistan the gift of unconditional empowerment through democracy and moral governance and not trade his dream for our illusions.
Bourgeois battled Bhutto's populist economic and political enforcement, and the bourgeois and the petty-bourgeois became ready instruments in carrying out their social propaganda against Bhutto. He was the man behind introducing democracy in the country by kicking out the dictatorial rule and finally gave a consensus constitution of 1973 with guarantees to basic human rights under the supremacy of parliament. Cruel dictators like Zia and Musharraf are responsible for bringing fundamentalists into the corridor of power, Mush, who is now trumping against them just an eyewash. Political leaders must possess the qualities of power, vision, ethics, courage, knowledge, decision making, integrity, enthusiasm, and devotion and should have principles, Z.A BHUTTO had all those qualities. Mr. Bhutto lived consciously to make history and to leave a legacy in the form of the development of his nation. He is right credited with saving Pakistan at the darkest moment of its history, as French President Giscardd' Estaing said he was the man,'' who incarnated Pakistan at a dramatic hour of its history''.
Z A BHUTTO was indeed a great leader, a leader we must salute today; who gave voice to the voiceless and helped them shape their own destiny.
It was under his leadership that every Pakistani was given the right to a passport. Education was nationalized and made available to every child. Scores of Universities were built to turn the children of the discriminated and downtrodden into lawyers, doctors, and engineers liberating them from a destiny of backwardness.
Bhutto pushed politics out of the posh drawing rooms into real Pakistan into the muddy lanes and villages of the poor.
The ever-lasting contribution of Bhutto was to raise the consciousness of the people for democracy. He awakened the masses, making them realize they were the legitimate fountainhead of political power. He enlightened the peasants, the industrial workers, the students, the women, and the rest of the common people about their importance and their right to franchise, which is the definite means of bringing changes and improvement in the lives of the common people. He deeply cherished democracy and democratic values and in the end, gave his life for the cause of freedom. In the case of Pakistan, he viewed the military rule as a negation of the very genesis of the country that came into being as a result of a democratic process and a vote. Today as the Nation pays tribute to one of its greatest sons; it is destined to move forward in the spirit of Federalism, Democracy, Autonomy, and Egalitarianism which he lit through his example of courage in the defense of principles and ideals. Z.A BHUTTO was a people leader, a legend, and a poet and he remained so till the last breath in his body. He was a true revolutionary; his revolution was against imperialism, against the bourgeois. He was a charismatic leader and his charisma still rules the nation.
Z.A Bhutto ruled the hearts of people when he was alive and to date, he rules their hearts. Z.A Bhutto was a principled friend to the poor, downtrodden, and oppressed. He was fearless in his beliefs and refused to bow before any man or power other than the Almighty. His contributions to an impregnable Pakistan are seen in the Kamra Aeronautical factory, Heavy Mechanical Complex at Taxila, modernization of Karachi Shipyard, creation of precision engineering works, Pakistan Steel Mills, Port Qasim, Pakistan Automobile Corporation to name a few. By signing the Simla Accord of 1972 he negotiated the longest peace between India and Pakistan. His social reforms laid the foundation of an egalitarian society, his non-aligned foreign policy earned Pakistan respect in the comity of nations. He lifted the nation drowning in a sea of despair to Himalayan heights. The death cell in which his killers kept him failed to break his will or his determination to challenge the military rule and stand up as the leader of the people.
Bhutto was a modernizer and saw nationalism as the key to unity. He rejected fanaticism. He gave pride to the poor.
As the leader of the Third World, he spoke boldly against racism, colonialism, and imperialism. He fearlessly defended the right of nations to independence. When the 1973 Ramadan War broke out, he sent Pakistan's military to defend the borders of the Muslim countries including the Golan Heights of Syria. Bhutto's short life of fifty years was spent in the service of many international, regional and national causes. Today Pakistan is at a crossroads. Its policies relating to Nuclear, Taliban, India, Militancy, Religious Parties, Democracy and Economy are in shambles. Shaheed Bhutto believed that the army could protect its institutional competence by keeping out of politics. He said, "Those soldiers who leave the barracks to move into Government mansions lose wars and become prisoners of war as happened in 1971; his words reverberate as a warning and a guide to the country to save its honor, respect, pride, and position by reverting to the golden principles that gave it birth. April 4 falls at a time when Pakistan is faced with a critical situation. The dark shadow of military dictatorship clouds the political horizon and spawns fissiparous tendencies striking at the solidarity of the country. Rocket launchers and bomb blasts kill innocents while the military is involved in operations against its own people. The rise of the suicide bomber and armed struggle is reminiscent of an earlier military dictatorship.
The tyranny of General Zia's military rule led to the Kalashnikov culture where young men picked up automatic weapons. That culture has reasserted itself under the military dictatorship of General Musharraf. Except that the weapons are more dangerous than the Kalashnikovs of yesterday. Every time a General ruled Pakistan, innocent people were being killed.
Z.A Bhutto was born in 1928. He was martyred in 1979. Yet he lives in the hearts and minds of the people still shining like a star that brightens the sky motivating those caught in the prisons of oppression. No doubt, the age of Bhutto was an age of revolution.
At the time of his overthrow; Bhutto was emerging as a spokesman of the world of Islam and the leader of the third world. Although his life and political career were cruelly terminated.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto will always be remembered as one of the great leaders who took part in the liberation of the third world from the yoke of Imperialism and Neo-Colonialism during the twentieth century. "It is better to live like a lion for one day than to live like a jackal for a thousand."
Z.A.BHUTTO''.
Long Live Bhuttoism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, April 3, 2022
Imran will be dealt with according to Article 6, Bilawal says
PPP chief says not possible for SC to not stand with opp, bound to defend the Constitution.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will be dealt with according to Article 6 of the Constitution as “the prime minister, speaker, deputy speaker, president, and anybody involved in this act today have committed high treason”.
“There is no space in our Constitution for them to dissolve the assembly, issue a notification to dissolve the assembly while we bringing a vote of no-confidence against the PM,” Bilawal said while speaking to a private media outlet.
“There is no space in the Constitution for them to not hold the vote of no-confidence today. There is no space in the constitution, rules of the National Assembly, democracy and law that allows them to run from the session today.”
“We are recording our protest in the Parliament. We have demanded of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and all those institutions responsible for the protection and implementation of the Constitution to do so and accept our no-confidence that is legal," said the PPP chief.
Referring to Ayaz Sadiq taking the chair of the speaker, the PPP chairperson said, “It was their own decision to have Ayaz Sadiq on the panel of the Chair. Following the policy of the House, Ayaz Sadiq has chaired the session of the National Assembly. When the Speaker is not present, neither is the deputy Speaker, it is the responsibility of the one nominated on the panel to conduct the session. The vote of no-confidence took place and we secured 195 votes.”
Bilawal hoped that the judiciary will not let any unconstitutional act take place and added that the opposition hoped the Supreme Court would “correct” the attack on the Constitution.
"The PM has committed treason to run from the no-confidence. We have proved that the majority is with us. We will not let Pakistan be run on the rule of the jungle."
“The prime minister and the speaker are not even aware of how grave the act they have committed is,” he said, adding that Raza Rabbani, Farooq Naek, Nayyer Hussain Bukhari along with others were preparing a petition.
“It is not possible for the Supreme Court to not stand with us. It is bound to stand with and defend the Constitution,” he added.
“We submitted a no-confidence motion against the speaker too after which he cannot even prorogue the session,” the PPP chief said referring to the no-trust motion against the speaker submitted earlier in the day.
“Imran Khan is trying to become a carbon copy of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It is ridiculous. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto never abrogated the Constitution,” he said, adding, “We were the ones who drafted it. He did not abrogate the Constitution even to save his life. He said that he would not expose national secrets even if it meant that he would lose his life. This is nationalism and patriotism.”
Bialwal said, “Do the Pakistani people want for things to take place according to the constitution or a person’s ego? Pakistan has become a banana republic before the world today. We will not let Imran succeed in this conspiracy.”
“It is Imran’s disillusion just like that of Musharraf that he would succeed after creating a law and order situation. Justice Waqar Seth clearly wrote in his order what the punishment of traitors is.”
Foreign conspiracy
Speaking about the foreign conspiracy, Bilawal said, “As far as the foreign conspiracy is concerned, all are witness to how our efforts have always been to remove this undemocratic man. Long before the PM went to Russia, I and my father went to Shehbaz Sharif to form a consensus. Even before that, we had our CEC meeting where it was decided to proceed with the long march and no-confidence.”
He said that even in September 2020, when the PDM was being formed, the no-confidence vote against the premier was one of the points.
“Are we psychic? Would we have known in September 2020 that there would be a conflict in Ukraine? Had this conspiracy claim been true, why did he wait till the last minute to reveal it? He should have demarched that diplomat on the very same day,” he added.
“The Parliament is the supreme institution. What happened in the Parliament today cannot be forgiven,” the PPP chief said, adding, “If the Parliament’s peaceful transfer of power is hindered today, a precedent can be set for the transfer of power in the Supreme Court as well.”
“There are other institutions in Rawalpindi that can face the same problem,” he warned. “We salute the Supreme Court for showing a responsible attitude even on a Sunday. We have hopes associated with it.”
He concluded that the constitution had been abrogated and there had also been a 100% contempt of court.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2350833/imran-will-be-dealt-with-according-to-article-6-bilawal-says
پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی اپنے بانی چیئرمین قائد عوام ذوالفقار علی بھٹو شہید کے فلسفے اور افکار پر سختی سے پابند رہتے ہوئے 1973ع کے آئین کی حفاظت اور حقیقی جمہوریت کے قیام کی جدوجہد میں ہمیشہ کی طرح قائدانہ کردار ادا کرتی رہے گی، چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری
کراچی/اسلام آباد (3 اپریل 2022) چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا ہے کہ پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی اپنے بانی چیئرمین قائد عوام ذوالفقار علی بھٹو شہید کے فلسفے اور افکار پر سختی سے پابند رہتے ہوئے 1973ع کے آئین کی حفاظت اور حقیقی جمہوریت کے قیام کی جدوجہد میں ہمیشہ کی طرح قائدانہ کردار ادا کرتی رہے گی، جبکہ اس اصول کہ طاقت کا سرچشمہ عوام ہے پر کوئی سمجھوتہ نہیں کیا جائے گا۔ میڈیا سیل بلاول ہاوَس کی جانب سے جاری کردہ بیان کے مطابق، پی پی پی چیئرمین نے پاکستان کے پہلے منتخب وزیراعظم و پارٹی کے بانی چیئرمین ذوالفقار علی بھٹو شہید کو ان 43 ویں یومِ شہادت پر شاندار الفاظ میں خراج عقیدت پیش کیا ہے۔
چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا کہ ذوالفقار علی بھٹو شہید نے عوام کو شعور دیا، متفقہ آئین دے کر ریاست کو مضبوط بنایا، جوہری پروگرام کی بنیاد رکھ کر ملک کو ناقابلِ تسخیر بنایا۔ انہوں نے مزید کہا کہ اپنے ذات، مفادات اور خطرات کو بھول کر صرف اور صرف قوم کی سربلندی کے لیئے سوچنے اور عملی اقدامات اٹھانے کا نام ذوالفقار علی بھٹو ہے۔ چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا کہ یہ قائدِ عوام کی عظمت کا ثبوت ہے کہ ان کے بدترین مخالفوں کو بھی عوام کی ہمدردی حاصل کرنے کے لیئے ذوالفقار علی بھٹو شہید کے نام کے پیچھے چھپنا پڑتا ہے۔ یہ ذوالفقار علی بھٹو شہید تھے، جنہوں نے تختہ دار پر چڑھ کر دنیا کو بتایا کہ عوام کا لیڈر موت کو بھی شان سے تو قبول کرسکتا ہے، لیکن اصولوں پر سمجھوتہ نہیں کرسکتا۔
پی پی پی چیئرمین نے اس عزم کا اعادہ کیا کہ ان کی جماعت آئین، جمہوریت اور ملک کی حفاظت کرتی رہے گی، اور ان کی خاطر کسی بھی قربانی سے دریغ نہیں کرے گی۔
Saturday, April 2, 2022
Day before Imran’s no-trust vote, Pakistan army chief condemns Ukraine war, cosies up to West
SONIYA AGRAWAL
Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said Russian invasion of Ukraine ‘must be stopped immediately’, discussed ‘excellent’ relationship with US, in contrast with PM Imran Khan’s anti-West stances.The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a “huge tragedy” and “must be stopped immediately”, said Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Saturday, in a major statement ahead of the no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday. Condemning the war, Bajwa said, “Pakistan has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. We support immediate dialogue between all sides to find a lasting solution to the conflict.” He also called for all disputes with India, including Kashmir to be settled through dialogue.Bajwa referred to Pakistan’s “long and excellent strategic relationship with the US”, and how the UK and the EU were vital to the country’s interests. This was in stark contrast to statements by PM Khan, whose rhetoric has become increasingly anti-US and anti-EU. Giving a speech in Urdu at the same venue as Bajwa a day before — the Islamabad Security Dialogue, which aims to bring together Pakistani and foreign intelligentsia — Khan claimed that a “powerful country” was upset with his visit to the Kremlin just as Russia launched its campaign against Ukraine on 24 February. He noted that the unnamed country’s ally, India, was continuing to import oil from Russia despite Western sanctions against Moscow, and praised New Delhi’s “independent foreign policy” — in contrast to Islamabad’s failure to “stand on its own two feet”. “Today, I read the British foreign secretary’s statement that they can’t say anything to India as it has an independent foreign policy. I don’t blame them (West) for this support, but what are we then,” he said, referring to UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss’s remarks. Khan had also alleged in an address to the nation Thursday that the US had sent a “threatening” memo as part of a “foreign conspiracy” to topple his government.The contrasting stances of the army chief and the prime minister come in the backdrop of a reported rift between Khan and the military establishment, which had backed his rise to power. The army has maintained an avowedly neutral stance on the no-confidence motion.Reports suggest that differences had developed between Khan and Bajwa over the appointment of a new chief of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) last October. At the same time, a planned address to the nation by Khan Saturday was cancelled, purportedly on orders given by the Pakistan Army. According to diplomats in Islamabad, Bajwa and his ISI deputy advised Khan against addressing the nation as it would “vitiate the atmosphere in the country.” Pakistan’s information minister, Fawad Chaudhary, in a media address on Saturday, denied that the army chief had asked Khan to resign. The no-confidence motion against Khan was tabled in the National Assembly on 28 March by a united opposition with the support of disgruntled legislators from Khan’s own Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Khan has effectively lost his majority in Parliament after a key partner of the ruling coalition, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), joined hands with the Opposition.
https://theprint.in/world/day-before-imrans-no-trust-vote-pakistan-army-chief-condemns-ukraine-war-cosies-up-to-west/899570/
We will 'imprison Bani Gala's devil' tomorrow, Bilawal Bhutto takes a snipe at PM Imran Khan
- "Stop whining, these childish acts will not work now," Bilawal tells PM.
- He says will ask Shahbaz to not take revenge from Imran Khan.
- "If you incite violence, we will not spare you," Bilawal warns PM.
The joint Opposition will "imprison Bani Gala's devil" tomorrow by voting him out of office, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said Saturday taking a snipe at Prime Minister Imran Khan after the Ramadan moon was sighted in Pakistan.
In a press conference alongside PPP leaders, Bilawal said the Opposition would start its bid to resolve the problems of the people after it gets rid of the prime minister following the voting on the no-confidence motion against the premier.
The PTI effectively lost its majority in the 342-member National Assembly Wednesday when a coalition partner — MQM-P — said its seven lawmakers would vote in support of the Opposition alliance. Before them, several other allies had switched sides.
"He is a person who has lost and now will try to cause unrest outside the parliament [...] this is a very serious issue as the parliament represents the people," the PPP chairman said after PM Imran Khan called on the youth to protest for two days — today and tomorrow — against the "foreign conspiracy" targeting his government.
The Islamabad district administration has imposed section-144 in the Red Zone, banning rallies and gatherings in the area. The administration said anyone found in violation of the restrictions would face action.
The PPP chairman, referring to PM Imran Khan's call for "peaceful protests", said the prime minister should neither interfere nor opt for illegal tactics to stay in power.
Bilawal calls on SC
The lawmaker from Larakan called on the Supreme Court to take action against the premier for calling on his supporters to protest and warned that if the parliament's affairs were meddled with, then other institutions, including the courts, would face similar issues.
"No one should be allowed to play with the country's democracy and future," the PPP chairman said, assuring that his party was "well-aware" of how to protect his members and take them safely to the parliament.
Bilawal said the Opposition had already shown its majority in the National Assembly and only the paperwork remains.
'Absolutely not'
Bilawal called on the prime minister to step down voluntarily and show sportsmanship. "Stop whining, these childish acts will not work now," he said, referring to the premier's allegations of a foreign power's bid to oust his government.
The PPP chairman said lawmakers from the treasury benches approached Opposition leaders and begged them to take back the no-confidence motion against the premier.
"Our response to them was: absolutely not," he said.
Convincing Shahbaz against political revenge
Moving on, Bilawal said he would ask Shahbaz Sharif — once he becomes the new prime minister — to not launch a political vendetta against the prime minister.
"But if you incite violence and opt for an unconstitutional way, we will not spare you and use Article 6 against you," Bilawal warned PM Imran Khan.
بار بار وزیراعظم کو کہا عزت کا راستہ اپنایا جائے، بلاول بھٹو زرداری
پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی ( پی پی پی) کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا ہے کہ ہم نے تو بار بار وزیراعظم کو کہا کہ عزت کا راستہ اپنایاجائے، وزیراعظم کو کہا کہ استعفیٰ دینا چاہیے تھا۔
اسلام آباد میں پریس کانفرنس کرتے ہوئے بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا کہ رمضان میں شیطان بند کردیا جاتا ہے، ہم شیطان کو بند کرنے جارہے ہیں، کل بنی گالا کا شیطان قید ہونے جا رہا ہے، کل سے ہم آپ کے مسائل کے حل کا آغاز کریں گے۔
بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے تمام پاکستانیوں کو رمضان المبارک کی مبارک باد بھی دی۔
چیئرمین پیپلز پارٹی نے کہا کہ یہ ہارا ہوا شخص کوشش کرے گا کہ بدامنی ہو، تصادم ہو، یہ ہاراہوا شخص کوشش کرے گا کہ پارلیمنٹ میں تشدد ہو۔
بلاول بھٹو نے کہا کہ یہ بہت ہی سنگین معاملہ ہے، پارلیمنٹ ملک کےعوام کی نمائندگی کرتا ہے۔
انہوں نے کہا کہ آج وزیر اعظم کو جمہوری طریقے سے نکال رہے ہیں تو رکاوٹیں نہیں ڈالنی چاہییں، پارلیمنٹ کے ساتھ اور بھی قومی ادارے ہیں، ہر ادارے کے اپنے اصول ہیں، سپریم کورٹ کےبھی اپنے اصول ہیں کہ اس کےججز کیسے چنے جاتے ہیں۔
بلاول بھٹو نے کہا کہ تحریک انصاف کا وزیر اعظم ٹی وی پر آکر احتجاج کی کال دے رہا ہے۔
پی پی چیئرمین نے کہا کہ پارلیمنٹ کےطریقہ کار پر اعتراض ہوگا تو کل دوسرے اداروں کےطریقہ کار بھی متاثر ہوں گے، سپریم کورٹ کو نوٹس لینا چاہیے، کسی کواجازت نہیں دینا چاہیےکہ ملک کی جمہوریت اور قسمت کے ساتھ کھیل کھیلاجائے۔
انہوں نے کہا کہ ہم جانتےہیں اپنے لوگوں کا کیسے تحفظ کرنا ہے اور انہیں کیسے پہنچانا ہے، وزیر اعظم اپنے غنڈوں کے ذریعے ہنگامہ آرائی کرنا چاہتے ہیں، وزیر اعلیٰ کے پی کے اور وزیر دفاع کے بیانات سامنے آچکے ہیں۔
بلاول بھٹو نے کہا کہ سپریم کورٹ کو اپنا آئینی کردار ادا کرنا ہوگا، ہم نے اپنی اکثریت دکھا دی، کل صرف کاغذی کارروائی باقی ہے۔
https://jang.com.pk/news/1069532
Friday, April 1, 2022
The letter is fake, Imran is fake and his mandate is fake-President Zardari
Former President of Pakistan and President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Asif Ali Zardari responding to a question by a journalist at the Parliament House said that there is no need to see the so-called document as it is fake. Imran and his mandate are both fake.
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also accompanied President Zardari in the Parliament.
Later, Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari talking to the media along with other opposition leaders said that whenever we arrive in the National Assembly, Imran is defeated. Today there were 172 opposition members in the National Assembly Hall but Imran ran away. How long can he run from the no-confidence? Now, Imran Khan is bowing before everyone and asking others to save him. There is no face-saving for him now.
The only honorable way for him is to resign so that Shahbaz Sharif can take the seat of the prime minister. It is too late for Imran to get an NRO. The delay is not only harming Imran but also the foreign policy, economy, and institutions. Imran came to power undemocratically and is going by a democratic process. If he wants to have little respect in the eyes of the people, he should immediately resign. However, he is begging everyone for the support.
https://www.ppp.org.pk/pr/26717/
Imran is a defeated man- Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari - #اب_آئے_گی_عوامی_حکومت
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardar talking to a private TV channel said that he did not watch the former prime minister’s speech. I believe that he is repeating the same things. The Pakistani people have recognized his lies now, they know that this man has not fulfilled one promise in the past three years. Every promise has been a U-turn or betrayal.
Chairman Bilawal said that this man has made the country a slave of the IMF and harmed the Kashmir policy. He has sabotaged the CPEC as per an international conspiracy. He did not spare our economy, foreign policy and democracy. The common man is bearing the burden of the destruction that has been going on in the name of change. When defeat that has come through a democratic mean is clear and there is no other way to escape it, such blames are not appropriate. He should take an honourable exit instead of trying to find a safe exit. He should have resigned in today’s speech. He should face us in the voting on Sunday and respect the democracy. He should not try to fool the people of Pakistan.
Chairman PPP said that the former PM made an unsuccessful effort to hold a big gathering in Islamabad. He does not need millions of people, only 172 members. 175 members of the opposition were present in the assembly today. We have proved that he has lost his majority. His government has ended. The PPP has never compromised on the foreign policy of the country. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made us a nuclear power, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto gave us missile technology and President Zardari gave China access to the warm waters through CPEC and also tried to bring Iran gas pipeline. Be it the Salala incident when we stopped NATO supply lines or when we condemned the US’s drone attacks on our visits, every policy has been in the best interest of the country.
The Pakistani nation is witness as to how the US President has not even called this man in the past three years. Why would he threaten him? This man is scared of phone calls himself. He cancelled a trip to a foreign country over a phone call. There are countless examples. The political, economic and foreign policies of this government have all been unsuccessful. If this man says that he will not admit defeat, it does not mean that he has not been defeated. He is a defeated man.
https://www.ppp.org.pk/pr/26719/
Imran Khan should learn from Buzdar and resign-Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
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