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Supreme Court Drama: The Long, Winding Road to Bhutto's Ghostly Verdict

In a stunning turn of events, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa recently expressed his regret over the delayed fixing of a presidential reference regarding the controversial 1979 death sentence of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The case, which has been likened to a legal soap opera, was described by CJP Isa as the "oldest pending remaining presidential reference," making it the Methuselah of legal disputes.

As the nine-member larger bench of the apex court convened, it resembled a star-studded cast with CJP Isa leading the charge, supported by a lineup including Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, and a host of other legal luminaries. One can only imagine the behind-the-scenes drama as the legal eagles prepared for this epic episode.

The presidential reference, filed in 2011 by none other than former President Asif Ali Zardari, sought the Supreme Court's opinion on revisiting Bhutto's death sentence. This reference, a relic from the past, was last heard by an 11-judge panel in 2012, adding a touch of vintage legal drama to the proceedings.

During the hearing, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the heir to the Bhutto legacy, made a cameo appearance along with other party stalwarts. It was almost as if the courtroom had transformed into a political red carpet event, complete with legal wrangling and constitutional couture.

In a surprising twist, Bilawal expressed his desire to join the legal circus, requesting to become a party in the reference. CJP Isa, with a theatrical flourish, allowed Bilawal to participate, whether as a family member or a political party – a true legal thespian moment.

Adding to the spectacle, the Attorney General of Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, took center stage to read out the presidential reference. It was a moment reminiscent of a gripping courtroom drama, complete with suspenseful pauses and legal soliloquies.

However, the plot thickened as Justice Isa questioned the listing delay, prompting the Attorney General to express his regrets on behalf of the Supreme Court. The judge, not satisfied with the explanation, seemed to channel his inner detective, asking why the case wasn't listed for a whopping 11 years. Awan's response, a classic legal cliffhanger, left everyone on the edge of their seats.

As the legal theatrics unfolded, the court decided to appoint amicus curiae to assist in the matter. The mention of amicus curiae, or friends of the court, added a touch of camaraderie to the legal proceedings, as if the courtroom had transformed into a legal sitcom.

In the grand finale of this legal saga, CJP Isa issued notice to Geo News for an interview related to the case and adjourned the hearing until the second week of January. The audience, both in and out of the courtroom, was left eagerly anticipating the next episode of this gripping legal drama.

In a post-hearing interview, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari praised the court for resuming the case, calling it a "test and opportunity for the judiciary." With emotions running high, Bilawal demanded justice for his late grandfather, hoping the judiciary would "fix the history, wash the blood of its hands, and expose those involved in this crime." The stage is set for the next act in this legal spectacle, and the nation awaits with bated breath for the final resolution of the Bhutto saga.

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