ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday adjourned hearing till February 26, in presidential reference pertaining to the death sentence of former prime minister Zulifkar Ali Bhutto.

A nine-member larger bench presided by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa heard the reference. Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Amin ud Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Musarrat Hilali were also part of the bench. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also in attendance during the hearing. The court instructed the all respondents to keep their arguments short and comprehensive in next hearing. In its order, the court said that Lawyer Makhdoom Ali Khan has given his arguments and has stated to file the written comments as well. Other amicus curiae Khalid Javed submitted written answer and he could also give verbal arguments in next hearing, it said.

The court said that it would also hear the heirs of Zulifkar Ali Bhutto. After the amicus curiae, the court would hear Bilawal Bhutto’s counsel Farooq H. Naek, Raza Rabbai, Zahid Ibrahim and Ahmed Raza Qasuri as well.  Earlier, during the course of proceeding, the CJP questioned that how the court could draw a line in this case as its jurisdiction was clear and case couldn’t be reviewed again. He asked that if the top court could order an inquiry or re-open this case on presidential reference. On the occasion, Advocate Makhdoom Ali Khan concluded his arguments after which the court wrote order pertaining to this day’s hearing.

Further hearing of the case was then adjourned till next date.

It may be mentioned here that former president Asif Ali Zardari had moved the reference to SC in 2011 under article 186 of the constitution.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 21 2024

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