Aitzaz Ahsan terms Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani innocent

Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, the counsel of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that his client was not guilty of contempt of court but should bow to pressure and write a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopening corruption cases against the president.

It indicates that Aitzaz Ahsan will suggest the premier to step back from the brink of further confrontation with the Supreme Court. The court has summoned Gilani, in person, on January 19 in contempt of court notice.

Earlier, the apex court commenced contempt of court proceedings against Prime Minister Gilani, frustrated by the government’s refusal to write to the Swiss asking them to re-open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari since an official pardon expired in 2009.

Speaking to the media, the counsel said, “Asif Ali Zardari has complete immunity as president. There is no harm in writing a letter to the Swiss authorities. He enjoys immunity in Pakistan and abroad as long as he is president.”

A day earlier, the premier appointed prominent lawyer, Aitzaz Ahsan, as his counsel, who will accompany him on January 19, in the hearing of the contempt case.

His decision to appoint Ahsan Aitzaz has been seen as a reconciliatory sign to the superior judiciary. Some people believe that the apex court has been on a collision course with the government that most believe will force early elections this year.

Aitzaz Ahsan is a senior leader in Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and well respected by the judiciary for his role in forcing the government to restore independent judges. He anticipated that the premier would not be convicted.

He observed, “I don’t think the prime minister has committed contempt of court by not writing the letter. Through my arguments I will try to convince the court that the prime minister is not guilty of contempt.”

The party leaders have accused the superior judiciary of overstepping its reach and planning with the army to bring down the civilian setup ahead of the constitutional term given by the Constitution.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jan 18 2012. Filed under National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.