Islamabad: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has recently highlighted the historical significance of his party’s proposal for a Federal Constitutional Court, tracing its roots back to the ideas expressed by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in 1931. Zardari’s remarks, shared on the social media platform X, emphasize the enduring relevance of these ideas in modern constitutional discourse.
According to Pakistan Peoples Party, during a 1931 Round Table Conference in London, Jinnah proposed the concept of a Federal Constitutional Court, distinct in function and structure from other courts. He envisioned a system with three apex courts: a Federal Court for constitutional matters, a Supreme Court for appellate jurisdiction, and a Criminal Court of Appeal. Jinnah argued that constitutional questions should be handled by a dedicated Federal Court, aiming to streamline judicial processes and protect citizens’ rights effectively.
Jinnah’s advocacy for specialized judicial roles to ensure the efficient handling of specific legal challenges was also highlighted by Zardari. He noted Jinnah’s concern for the judiciary’s ability to manage diverse legal issues without becoming overburdened. “This is an age of specialists,” Jinnah had stated, underscoring the need for expert handling of complex constitutional and legal matters.
The PPP leader drew parallels between Jinnah’s foresight and the structure of Germany’s judicial system established post-World War II, which includes a Federal Constitutional Court designed to relieve the general courts from the complexities of constitutional law.
This reflection on historical perspectives serves to bolster current discussions on judicial reforms in Pakistan, with the PPP pushing for the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court as a means to fulfill Jinnah’s vision and modernize the country’s judicial framework.