Bilawal Bhutto Names Justice Mansoor Ali Shah as Next Chief Justice of Pakistan

Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, recently stated that Justice Mansoor Ali Shah is expected to become the next Chief Justice of Pakistan. Speaking to ARY News, Bilawal expressed confidence in both the current and incoming Chief Justices, praising them as highly respected figures in the judiciary.

Bilawal used the conversation to reflect on the slow pace of Pakistan’s justice system, citing the Zulfikar Bhutto murder case, in which his family waited nearly 50 years for a verdict. He emphasized the importance of reform and faster judicial processes in the country.

One key issue he raised was the controversial nature of recent constitutional amendments. Bilawal highlighted that such amendments need to be approached cautiously and with consensus. “This is not an ordinary constitutional amendment,” he said, stressing that past amendments have often lost their significance or been overturned.

He praised Justice Qazi Faez Isa for his willingness to reduce his own judicial powers in favor of respecting the Parliament’s Practice and Procedure Bill. This step, according to Bilawal, demonstrates a positive direction in balancing power between the judiciary and the legislature.

Bilawal also touched on the topic of military courts for civilians, an issue the PPP has consistently opposed. He said while there have been suggestions to try civilians involved in military installations in military courts, he remains open to reconsidering his stance and engaging with the government on this issue.

Additionally, he addressed discussions regarding Article 8 of the Constitution, stating that any proposed amendments should be postponed for now, aligning with concerns raised by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F).