In a poignant moment witnessed in the Supreme Court, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was visibly moved as Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa delivered the short order concerning the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) reference. The apex court maintained that Bhutto was deprived of a fair trial, echoing longstanding grievances surrounding the late prime minister’s controversial trial and subsequent execution.
As Chief Justice Isa articulated the court’s stance, Bilawal and members of his party’s legal team stood before the bench, absorbing the significance of the verdict. Emotions ran high as Bilawal grappled with tears, resorting to his handkerchief to compose himself amidst the solemn proceedings.
The issuance of this verdict holds profound emotional weight for Bilawal, hailing from a family marked by political persecution and tragedy. The Bhutto family’s legacy is marred by the assassinations of prominent members, including Bilawal’s mother, Benazir Bhutto, and uncles Murtaza Bhutto and Shahnawaz Bhutto.
The culmination of this legal saga comes after nearly 12 years since the filing of the presidential reference by former president and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. ZAB’s execution in 1979, following a contentious Supreme Court verdict, has long been condemned by his party as a “judicial murder.”
The arduous journey to justice saw multiple hearings and deliberations, culminating in today’s momentous short order underscoring the deprivation of due process in Bhutto’s trial. The appointment of amicus curies and rigorous legal scrutiny underscored the complexity and significance of this landmark case.
Bilawal’s poignant reaction serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring quest for justice and closure for his family and the wider political community, marking a significant chapter in Pakistan’s legal and political history.
