BB sees no precedent to restore judges
Bureau Report

KARACHI—PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto has said PPP wants restoration of judiciary rather than judges. “Judiciary should be restored rather than judges. We support independent judiciary and not the judges as judiciary was not independent before November, 3” too , she said this while addressing a press conference here Thursday in Bilawal house.
She indicated judges who had not taken oath under PCO in the past were also not restored. She cited to the case of Justice (Retd) Saeed ul Zaman Siddiqui in this respect. Those who are demanding for restoration of November, 3 position, we don’t support their demand. We want the whole judiciary should be independent”, she remarked. To a question if she considered Iftikhar Chaudhry as chief justice of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto instead of giving any proper reply said she had already answered to this question “We respect the judges and they should be given their due status”, she maintained. They should be set free and allowed all facilities including pension.
About accountability process during Musharraf regime she said parliament would decide about it. Political process be restored in Balochistan, she demanded adding all the political prisoners be released and missing persons be got recovered. Responding to a question she claimed PPP would secure 142 national assembly seats in the upcoming general elections. “We are preparing lists of ghost polling stations. If chief election commission does not abolish them we will provide this list to international observers, she held.
Benazir Bhutto alleged district Nazmeens were directly influencing elections as they were supporting candidates. Regarding adjustment with Maulana Fazlur Rehman led JUI-F, she said talks were underway with Maulana Fazlur Rehman in this respect and possibility remains there for seat to seat adjustment. “We have authorized party provincial presidents on this matter. However no final decision has been taken with regard to electoral adjustment, she told.
About withdrawal of nomination papers by Aitzaz Ahsan she said “Aitzaz Ahsan has talked to me. He is facing pressure from lawyers as he is president of supreme court bar association. W e have allowed him to withdraw nomination papers. However he is in PPP and will stay in party”, she pointed out. Responding to a question she said army had been made controversial. Due to this reason it was not enjoying popular support at the level it should have earned. Certain elements want to bring judges in politics on the pattern of Bangladesh so that the major political parties could be expelled from political arena, she said adding “ I and Nawaz Sharif had foiled the designs of these elements by deciding to participate in the election. Nawaz Sharif decision to contest the elections is a good step. PML-Q is facing difficulties to find out candidates to be fielded in the elections due to homecoming of Nawaz Sharif, she remarked.