Parliament, other institutions should stand with the Supreme Court: Bilawal

E-Paper | March 09, 2026

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday urged all the national institutions to stand with the Supreme Court of Pakistan on its decision to acquit Aasia Bibi.

"The Supreme Court is our national institution. All other institutions, including the National Assembly, should stand with the Supreme Court," he said in a statement. "We cannot run the country from the streets. We can [only] run this country according to the Constitution and law."

Bilawal is the first party head to come out in support of the SC's verdict. Earlier, party members Sherry Rehman and Farhatullah Babar also lauded the judgement.

The top court in the morning acquitted Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman condemned to death on blasphemy charges. Soon after, protests erupted across multiple cities on the call of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan, a religio-political party headed by Khadim Hussain Rizvi.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Jamaat-i-Islami's (JI) Islamabad chapter also issued a call for protest against the verdict.

Meanwhile, Section 144 was imposed across Punjab and Sindh to maintain the law and order situation.

Follow live updates on the protests against the verdict here.

Aasia Bibi

Pakistan

Nadir Guramani is a journalist and anchorperson for Dawn News (TV) with 17 years of experience. His reporting covers parliamentary affairs, foreign policy, politics, climate change, and human rights. He can be found on X at @nguramani.

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Umair Karim

Oct 31, 2018 04:12pm

I hope and wish he has the same stance for decisions expected in the near future.

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My Comments

Oct 31, 2018 04:14pm

Good Statement. Now practical actions must match verbal words.

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Lea

Oct 31, 2018 04:18pm

PPP.. This is the only thing I like about your party.....

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My Comments

Oct 31, 2018 04:19pm

Any blasphemy charges must be investigated. If blasphemy charges are found to be correct than person doing blasphemy must be punished.

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Mansoor

Oct 31, 2018 04:21pm

Thank you Mr Chairman PPP. Watch your official bodyguards though.

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SMI

Oct 31, 2018 04:22pm

Agreed although I will never become PPP.voter but what he said is correct

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Dr Haroon

Oct 31, 2018 04:25pm

Bravo! But not just this decision. All decisions.

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Zahid

Oct 31, 2018 04:26pm

Such a mature statement

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kemariwala

Oct 31, 2018 04:32pm

Good judgment call Mr. Bhutto. We have very high hoped from you. Please distance yourself from the rogues like JUI-F

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mirestan

Oct 31, 2018 04:33pm

Thanks for standing by with the law

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WARRIs

Oct 31, 2018 04:35pm

For once Bilawal has said the right thing.

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Asif

Oct 31, 2018 04:38pm

well done bilawal you are always clear unlike past old politicians you take stand proud of you

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bhaRAT©

Oct 31, 2018 04:41pm

True freedom requires the rule of law and justice, and a judicial system in which the rights of some are not secured by the denial of rights to others.

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Gilzai

Oct 31, 2018 04:42pm

Thank you Bilawal, that is how courageous leaders should act.

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Taqi Riaz

Oct 31, 2018 04:46pm

Fully support and appreciate Bilal’s stance, this culture of being a judge is so dangerous

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Atif Khan

Oct 31, 2018 04:50pm

Now tgat is Bhutto blood doing the talking. Say, say it as you know it should be. Kudos to Bilawal on taking such a resolute stand...

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Saifil

Oct 31, 2018 04:56pm

Well said. Religion is a personal business not a national business

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Venky

Oct 31, 2018 04:59pm

A wise comment. Hope others also feel this way.

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Mountain boy

Oct 31, 2018 05:05pm

Bilal, you brave enough speaking and siding with truth amid wolves all around.

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M Ayyaz

Oct 31, 2018 05:06pm

Happy to see your stance.

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Arish

Oct 31, 2018 05:07pm

I dont normally agree with PPP's policies but coming out and supporting the judiciary in this hour is what something all parties must consider.

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mah

Oct 31, 2018 05:19pm

and it really was due for him to say that, as it was his party's leader who lost his life in support of justice.

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Justicefirst

Oct 31, 2018 05:20pm

Minus corruption the best leader of any party is Bilawal.We appreciate your stand.

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M. Ali

Oct 31, 2018 05:20pm

Bilawal, I see you as a future leader. Please don't follow your father's footsteps.

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D.M NAPAR

Oct 31, 2018 05:25pm

Like mother,Like son.

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Mithidada

Oct 31, 2018 05:28pm

Well said Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Full credit to you for making this bold statement. Waiting to see if other party leaders have the courage or the conviction to follow you.

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Sha b

Oct 31, 2018 05:33pm

True...whole world watching us.

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Adnan

Oct 31, 2018 05:34pm

On few occasions you tend to agree with Young Bhutto-Zardari, this is certainly one of those occasions. Bravo Bilawal !

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Moody

Oct 31, 2018 05:36pm

Yes we will stand by the sc decision when ppp& pmln corrupt individuals are sentenced !!

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Shahzaib

Oct 31, 2018 05:38pm

He is right.

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Iftikhar Husain

Oct 31, 2018 05:40pm

PP is right to support the SC,

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Asad

Oct 31, 2018 05:43pm

Bravo

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KEEN READER

Oct 31, 2018 05:43pm

Responsible statement.

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Sacha pakistani

Oct 31, 2018 05:57pm

True Spirit of Bhutto !

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Phatti_Purani

Oct 31, 2018 06:10pm

Very mature statement by Bilawal. We should all stand with democracy and democratic institutions. I hope this also serves as a moment of truth for PTI which shamelessly incited religious sentiments to further its political objectives not too long ago...

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Dawn_respect

Oct 31, 2018 06:14pm

As a neutral, I find Bilawal to be the most balanced politician in Pakistan. Wonder why the Junta has deprived him of any sort of power.

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Chinpaksaddique

Oct 31, 2018 06:20pm

Courageous to come out in support - good on you

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Saeed

Oct 31, 2018 06:29pm

Bravo! Very well said.

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Rizwan karim

Oct 31, 2018 06:44pm

The youngest poltician yet to have courage to speak truth!!

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saksci

Oct 31, 2018 06:53pm

When PPP was in power why they did not abolish this law; since it was implemented during dictatorship.

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M. Saeed

Oct 31, 2018 07:08pm

It appears that the Bhutto kid is growing of age and maturity.

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haris

Oct 31, 2018 07:08pm

@Umair Karim Well said

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Rehan

Oct 31, 2018 07:10pm

Good decision but why can’t he discuss this matter with his ally JUI-F and convince them to stop unnecessary street protests.

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Mansur Ul Haque

Oct 31, 2018 07:40pm

Very sensible.

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Najaf

Oct 31, 2018 07:43pm

Bilawal so proud of you. The only party which has spoken in favour of the judgement so far. A brave son of a brave mother and a brave grandfather! Keep it up!

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Sridhar Raghunatha Rao

Oct 31, 2018 07:51pm

A true democratic and wise statement by Bilawal Bhutto

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Ahsan

Oct 31, 2018 08:03pm

Bilawal is what a 21st century should be. Intelligent and brave.

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Neo

Oct 31, 2018 08:04pm

TL leaders should be arrested and put behind bars. These career politicians are using the name of our religion to progress their own personal agenda. This is unacceptable and must be stopped.

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MONIER

Oct 31, 2018 08:05pm

Biliwal ask your father Mr. Zardari (Co Chair PPP) to stop playing politics with JUI-F Maulana Fazal now by making a statement to prove what you are saying makes sense

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Neo

Oct 31, 2018 08:07pm

I feel sorry for the people who follow the TL party. The Pakistan education system has let them down.

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Talal

Oct 31, 2018 08:08pm

very nice statement by Bilawal!

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Syed Mukarram

Oct 31, 2018 08:18pm

I salute the honourable Supreme Court judges for the landmark verdict. I also commend the statements of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Sherry Rahman and Farhatullah Babar applauding the Supreme Court judges. It is a verdict in accordance with the Islamic teachings and human rights. Those who disagree with the Supreme Court decision may protest peacefully, but should be severely dealt with according to the law of the land for disturbing traffic and creating law and order situation. Obviously the TLP and others of their ilk are demonstrating their ignorance about Islamic teachings which prescribe full justice and protection to the minorities. The misguided and ignorant people of TLP need be rendered irrelevant.

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Rizwan

Oct 31, 2018 08:18pm

As a member of a civilized society I fully agree with Bilawal Zardari comment on Asia Bibi's case. Supreme Court of Pakistan has taken the right decision and must be supported by all sensible person.

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ahamed

Oct 31, 2018 08:39pm

Very sensible comment, Bilawal. Your frankness and wisdom shows. The law and judiciary are not to be disrespected by anyone. Thank you and punish those who disturb peace in PK.

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ARIF

Oct 31, 2018 08:40pm

JI is becoming a disgrace.

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Zubair, Naeem

Oct 31, 2018 09:15pm

He statement shows that he has started showing Maturity on political issues.

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Awaz....

Oct 31, 2018 09:26pm

Great Statement by Mr. Bilawal

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M. Saeed

Oct 31, 2018 09:42pm

Bilawal appears to be gaining political maturity.

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Shafiq Shah

Oct 31, 2018 09:47pm

Hi Bilawal I like what you said. This sounds like a statesman.

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Harun

Oct 31, 2018 10:03pm

Congratulations! For supporting justice of Tolerance, kindness and mercy! Thanks for not ‘Fishing in troubled waters’!

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Lohpurush

Oct 31, 2018 10:40pm

Thanks Bilawal for reinforcing sanity.

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Arshad patel

Oct 31, 2018 10:43pm

Watch this kid......in election of year 2038, he is prime candidate for top position!

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Shib

Oct 31, 2018 10:54pm

@mirestan Nice lip service.....

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Pakistani american

Oct 31, 2018 11:21pm

this young politician is on the right track. Although I never voted for his party but now I will vote for him and his party.

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Pakistani american

Oct 31, 2018 11:21pm

good young politician

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Pakistani

Oct 31, 2018 11:27pm

Pure words of wisdom! Relish them!

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Imran Ahmed

Oct 31, 2018 11:31pm

This young leader has good political instincts. I commend his respect for rule of law.

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Abbas Syed

Oct 31, 2018 11:51pm

Bilawal Bhutto and PPP, Your stand on the recent judgement of Supreme Court is commendable. This is sign of maturity in Pakistan's politics.

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Neo

Oct 31, 2018 11:58pm

He will need to up his security and properly check his guards.

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Zeeshan

Nov 01, 2018 12:07am

These clerics will will always be the hurdle to progressive Pakistan. They want to use religion for political purpose, so sad

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Gibran Akram

Nov 01, 2018 12:18am

That's the thing with these PPP leaders. They will make all the right noises when not in power. But give them the government and they turn into a country eating termite.

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Skeptic

Nov 01, 2018 12:22am

Right now he's saying everything he knows the pml n can't say or do. They're simply put manouvering the N league.

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tahir

Nov 01, 2018 12:52am

Feed children of Thar first then talk about justice.

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Kashif Memon

Nov 01, 2018 12:57am

PPP has remain secular party through out and they have always abided by constitution ; Toady Bilwal Showed the Philosophy of Bhuttoism, Justice for All, long live Pakistan❤

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Pak_UK

Nov 01, 2018 01:59am

Well done Bulawal Zardari.

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MANSOOR

Nov 01, 2018 02:07am

I absolutely hate PPP for their governance in Sindh but this is the only thing i like about them that they speak out against these Mullahs

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AZAM AKBAR

Nov 01, 2018 02:20am

@Umair Karim Mr. Umair Karim, Correct. The people will see how Mr. Bilawal Zardari will stand with the decisions of courts in the matter of the cronies, corrupts, culprits and money laundered of PPP and PML-N. One thing may be noted that he gives statements what he gets. He doesn't know the case of Asia Bibi, surely.

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AZAM AKBAR

Nov 01, 2018 02:28am

@Dawn_respect Mr. Dawn_respect, Because he is son of corupt parents. Mr. Bilawal Zardari is one of the directors of Zardari- Group which is involved in the crime of money- laundering and corruption. Doesn't he know that he belongs to corrupt family?

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Khan

Nov 01, 2018 02:35am

Glad to see PPP leadership making a statement based on law and order. If they abide by rule of the law I might even vote for him.

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AZAM AKBAR

Nov 01, 2018 02:40am

@kemariwala Not from father, aunt and the cronies, corrupts and culprits of PPP which is the most corrupt regional political party?

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Simarjit Singh Mann

Nov 01, 2018 03:09am

The only hope for Pakistan is judiciary.

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Asif jamil

Nov 01, 2018 03:26am

Bilawal has taken a principled stand and we all appreciate that. The government needs support from all political parties at this point in our political life. If we are divided, these bigots and fanatics will destroy Pakistan.

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Frkh

Nov 01, 2018 03:55am

Our country...not 'this' country. Leaders should adjust their language to convey sincerity and sense of belonging to the country they intend to serve.

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Naeem

Nov 01, 2018 04:42am

Thanks for this sensible statement

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Musti Sheikh

Nov 01, 2018 06:00am

The people should respect the decision of the highest court of the land irrespective of political affiliation now and in the future as a democratic citizen of Pakistan.

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Rubina

Nov 01, 2018 10:00am

Lets see if Bilawal has the same views when papa dear is convicted in courts.

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Tra

Nov 01, 2018 02:05pm

True. If the fake mullah's protest continues, time for the people disturbed by these protests to drive mullah back in their homes. Peace and order must prevail in the country.

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Nam

Nov 01, 2018 04:01pm

PPP has good track record of standing for the supremacy of human rights and pluralism

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Shahzad

Nov 01, 2018 11:28pm

@Rehan, Fazlu will only accept SC decision once he gets the free house and ministerial perks from the government. As for JI, the oldest political party in Pakistan, they just want power because for the last 100 years they were never voted In power at any level.

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