NA passes resolution seeking to declare Bhutto a martyr

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly has passed a resolution declaring the death sentence of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the founder of the Pakistan People’s Party and former prime minister, as illegal.

This follows the Senate’s approval of an identical resolution.

The resolution stated that “President Zardari filed a reference, which was followed by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and the National Assembly congratulates the Supreme Court for its opinion”.

The resolution demanded that the unjust decision of the then Supreme Court bench be changed, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto be officially declared a martyr, and he be awarded the highest civil award, Nishan-e-Pakistan.

The resolution also called for the establishment of the “Nishan-e-Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Award” for workers who have sacrificed their lives for democracy.

It should be noted that earlier, Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan assemblies, and the Senate had also passed resolutions by a majority vote, declaring Zulfikar Ali Bhutto a national hero and official martyr.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had delivered a unanimous ruling on the presidential reference seeking to review the verdict in the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto case.

The Supreme Court had highlighted that judges were duty-bound to ensure impartiality and equal treatment for all individuals under the law. It acknowledged the imperative of addressing past discrepancies and pledged to uphold the principles of justice and fairness.