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Revisiting Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's Murder Case: A Call for Transparency

In a significant development, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has requested the Supreme Court to live telecast the hearing of a presidential reference revisiting the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto murder case. The case, which dates back to the tumultuous period of the late 1970s, has remained a subject of historical and legal scrutiny. Bilawal's plea for a transparent and open hearing underscores the importance of shedding light on a pivotal moment in Pakistan's political history.

Background: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a prominent political figure who served as the President and later as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, faced a tragic fate in the aftermath of the martial law imposed on July 5, 1977, by General Ziaul Haq. Bhutto was arrested on charges related to the March 1974 murder of Nawab Muhammad Ahmad Khan Kasuri. Despite initial release due to contradictory charges, he was rearrested and later found guilty of the murder on March 18, 1978.

The Supreme Court's Verdict: Following Bhutto's conviction, the Supreme Court of Pakistan voted 4-3 on February 6, 1979, to uphold the high court's decision. Despite appeals and challenges, the Supreme Court dismissed Bhutto's appeal on March 24, 1979, and the death sentence was upheld. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged at the Rawalpindi Central Jail on April 4, 1979, marking a tragic end to his political career.

Presidential Reference and the Call for Transparency: On April 2, 2011, then-President Asif Ali Zardari, from the PPP, filed a presidential reference under Article 186 of the Constitution of Pakistan, seeking the Supreme Court's opinion on revisiting the trial of the PPP founder, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The last hearing on this reference took place on November 11, 2012, and the matter is set to be taken up again by a nine-member larger bench led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Tuesday.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's recent request to live telecast the hearing is a call for transparency and openness in dealing with this historic case. The plea emphasizes the need for the proceedings to be accessible to the public, allowing for greater scrutiny and understanding of the legal intricacies involved.

Historical Significance: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's trial and execution have left an indelible mark on Pakistan's political landscape. The reopening of the case after 32 years reflects the ongoing quest for justice and the desire to revisit historical decisions. It is essential to note that the Supreme Court's judgment on Bhutto's hanging has never been cited as a precedent in subsequent cases, adding a layer of complexity to the legal narrative surrounding this pivotal event.

Conclusion: As the Supreme Court prepares to revisit the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto murder case, the call for a live telecast of the proceedings brings attention to the importance of transparency in dealing with historical and politically sensitive cases. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's plea underscores the significance of public awareness and understanding in matters of national importance, emphasizing that justice not only needs to be done but must also be seen to be done. The outcome of this revisitation could have far-reaching implications for Pakistan's legal and political landscape, making it a case of considerable interest and scrutiny both nationally and internationally.

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