Addressing the National Assembly on Wednesday, the foreign minister contended that the passing of the 19th amendment was a mistake, however, the party had been under pressure to pass it, or to have to the 18th amendment revoked.
"We caved and we passed the 19th amendment," he said, adding, "We [PPP] should have stood against those who threatened the government at that time."
The 19th Amendment was passed by then-president Asif Ali Zardari, who signed the Bill for it in 2011. As per the amendment a new system for appointments in the superior courts was decreed, which was intended to be a preemptive mitigation of any probable conflict between the judiciary and the executive.
In reaction the Supreme Court's decision a day earlier regarding the Punjab chief minister elections, Bilawal said, "It is unfair that there is one Constitution for us [coalition government] and another for the ‘ladla’ (favourite).”
Claiming that the PPP was ready for judicial reforms, he suggested the formation of a joint parliamentary committee for the purpose of said reforms. “Can all sins and violations of the Constitution carried out in the last 70 years be forgiven by adopting a neutral stance for one day?” he questioned.