ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 (NNI): Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in a tweet on Monday, expressed his support for the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court, aligning with a demand put forth by civil society.
Bilawal highlighted that civil society called for the Charter of Democracy (CoD) 2.0 (second generation) to complete the unfinished agenda of the original CoD and to restore the democratic consensus lost due to the assault of the former premier Imran Khan, ex-military officers General Pasha and General Faiz on democratic institutions.
PPP Chairman Bilawal emphasised that these recommendations, including the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court, were crucial to ensuring judicial reforms.
He also noted that this idea had gained support across the political spectrum, even from a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senator, signalling growing consensus within both civil society and political parties on the need for constitutional reforms.
Bilawal said in his tweet, “In August 2023, a gathering of Civil society called for Charter of Democracy 2.0. In order to complete COD unfinished agenda and regain space lost to impact of Imran/Pasha/Faiz assault on democratic consensus. Amongst their recommendations is the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court.”
In the tweet, the PPP chairman urged that personal opinions on current politics or individuals should not overshadow the legitimate need for such a court, which has been widely recognised by civil society organisations.
Among those backing this move were prominent groups such as AwazCDS-Pakistan, Pakistan Development Alliance (PDA), Asia Development Alliance (ADA), Asia CSOs Partnership for Sustainable Development (APSD), Action for Sustainable Development (A4SD), Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP), CIVICUS/AGNA-Affinity Group of National Associations and Transparency Accountability and Partnerships-TAP Network, and Asia Democracy Network.
The 13-page civil society document issued in August 2023, which Bilawal referenced in his tweet, calls on major political parties to unite and draft a new Charter of Democracy before the 2024 elections.
The civil societies emphasised that as Pakistan celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Constitution, it is time to embark on a comprehensive review to address inconsistencies introduced during undemocratic regimes.
The civil societies also stressed the importance of reclaiming the Constitution’s original spirit and demanded the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court and reforms to strengthen the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). NNI
