Bilawal Zardari says 26th amendment passed due to outgoing CJP Isa

Islamabad: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the passage of 26th constitutional amendment was possible due to [the role of] the outgoing Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

The 26th amendment brought about some significant changes in the appointment of the CJP of the top court.

He made these remarks while giving interview to a foreign media outlet.

When asked about the timing he said, "In the judicial history of Pakistan, there's one man [...] that has shown us that he's willing to obey parliament even at the cost of his personal power."

Responding to a question about the unending political targeting of opponents, he said Imran Khan would have to take the first step to end this culture.

The government and its allies were successful in their bid to pass the 26th amendment due to the role of incumbent CJP Isa.

Such monumental work could not have been possible under any other chief justice.

He – the incumbent CJP – was the only person in Pakistan judicial history who was ready to believe and act according to the principle of parliamentary superiority.

Answering about a question pertaining to Article 63-A, he said that verdict was ultra vires of the constitution.

He said after the passing of the constitutional package, a special committee of the parliament with a majority nominated Justice Yahya Afridi as the next CJP.

He said he did not know that the committee would nominate (the most senior) Justice Shah.

When asked that PTI founder Imran Khan had been in prison for more than one year due to political victimization, his said his father – President Asif Ali Zardari – remained in prison for 11 years.

But, he added, when the PPP came into power, it did not start the vicious circle of targeting political opponents.

The PPP chairman remarked, "The PTI founder is not in the mood of talking to his political opponents."