SC Unanimously Declares Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Denied Fair Trial

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has reignited the debate surrounding the 1977 trial of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the country’s former Prime Minister. The Supreme Court’s recent decision comes in response to a petition filed by Bhutto’s family. Moreover, his execution after the trial was a controversial moment in the country’s history.

Today, the Supreme Court of Pakistan made a big announcement about the case involving former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. They all agreed that Bhutto didn’t get a fair trial. Bhutto was Prime Minister of Pakistan until a military takeover in 1977. He was then accused of a crime and put on trial under military rule.

This decision comes after the court answered five questions regarding Bhutto’s case. The apex court gave its opinion on five questions asked in the presidential reference including:

• Whether the murder trial was conducted in accordance with the fundamental human rights enshrined in the Constitution? The
• Can the Supreme Court’s execution decision be a judicial precedent?
• Was Zulfiqar Bhutto’s death sentence a fair decision and not biased?
• Is Zulfiqar Bhutto’s death sentence correct in the light of Quranic orders?
• Was the evidence against Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto sufficient to declare him convict?

Court’s Explanation

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa explained that the constitution and the law do not provide a way to annul the previous judgment in Bhutto’s case. However, the court dismissed the revision petition regarding Bhutto’s trial, making the decision final.

According to the Supreme Court, both the trial in the Lahore High Court and the appeal proceedings in the Supreme Court did not align with fundamental rights. However, the court cannot overturn the decision by reviewing the evidence again.

The Supreme Court highlighted significant flaws and legal defects in Bhutto’s trial, emphasizing that his fundamental right to a fair trial was not upheld.

In response to one of the questions asked in the presidential reference, the court stated that Bhutto’s trial was not conducted in accordance with the constitution and the law.

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The court did not comment on the issue of punishment in the Islamic context, deeming it inappropriate. However, it did provide opinions on five questions raised in the presidential reference.

Justice Prevails

Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was present in court when the verdict was announced. He termed the decision historic and expressed hope that it would lead to progress in Pakistan’s justice system. Moreover, the case has been going on for a long time, and now, with this decision, many hope that justice will finally be served for Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the PPP leadership on the Supreme Court’s opinion, acknowledging that Bhutto was denied a fair trial.

The Supreme Court’s decision follows the conclusion of proceedings on the presidential reference against Bhutto’s judicial murder. Moreover, the court reserved its opinion on the reference after hearing arguments from both sides. The bench included Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminuddin, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Musarrat Hilali.

The reference was broadcasted on the Supreme Court of Pakistan YouTube channel. However, the Supreme Court finished hearing the presidential reference about Bhutto’s trial on Monday. They reserved their opinion on the reference.