Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chair Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has admitted that it was a 'mistake on the part of the PPP' to pass the 19th Constitutional Amendment, adding that the party had been under pressure out of fear of revocation of the 18th Amendment.
Addressing the National Assembly on Wednesday, the foreign minister contended that the passing of the 19th amendment was a mistake, however, the party had been under pressure to pass it, or to have to the 18th amendment revoked.
"We caved and we passed the 19th amendment," he said, adding, "We [PPP] should have stood against those who threatened the government at that time."
The 19th Amendment was passed by then-president Asif Ali Zardari, who signed the Bill for it in 2011. As per the amendment a new system for appointments in the superior courts was decreed, which was intended to be a preemptive mitigation of any probable conflict between the judiciary and the executive.
In reaction the Supreme Court's decision a day earlier regarding the Punjab chief minister elections, Bilawal said, "It is unfair that there is one Constitution for us [coalition government] and another for the ‘ladla’ (favourite).”
Claiming that the PPP was ready for judicial reforms, he suggested the formation of a joint parliamentary committee for the purpose of said reforms. “Can all sins and violations of the Constitution carried out in the last 70 years be forgiven by adopting a neutral stance for one day?” he questioned.
Addressing the National Assembly on Wednesday, the foreign minister contended that the passing of the 19th amendment was a mistake, however, the party had been under pressure to pass it, or to have to the 18th amendment revoked.
"We caved and we passed the 19th amendment," he said, adding, "We [PPP] should have stood against those who threatened the government at that time."
The 19th Amendment was passed by then-president Asif Ali Zardari, who signed the Bill for it in 2011. As per the amendment a new system for appointments in the superior courts was decreed, which was intended to be a preemptive mitigation of any probable conflict between the judiciary and the executive.
In reaction the Supreme Court's decision a day earlier regarding the Punjab chief minister elections, Bilawal said, "It is unfair that there is one Constitution for us [coalition government] and another for the ‘ladla’ (favourite).”
Claiming that the PPP was ready for judicial reforms, he suggested the formation of a joint parliamentary committee for the purpose of said reforms. “Can all sins and violations of the Constitution carried out in the last 70 years be forgiven by adopting a neutral stance for one day?” he questioned.