Historic Move: Prime Minister appears before Supreme Court in contempt of court notice

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, has been appeared before the Supreme Court, saying he has spent six years in prison and was never reluctant to appear before the court which shows that he always respected the court.

“All the allies are also here in the honour of the court. I cannot even think of ridiculing the court and all over the world, president enjoys immunity and Constitution of Pakistan also provides immunity to the president. That is why we did not write to Swiss authorities.” he observed.

Gilani, who had been issued a contempt notice for not implementing a directive to act against President Asif Ali Zardari for corruption, the premier said Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Nusrat Bhutto also appeared before the courts.

The premier further said that the president enjoys immunity from prosecution in the 18^th Amendment, adding that a president elected with two-third majority could not be handed over to foreign courts.

“It will not give a good message to proceed against a president who is elected by a two-thirds majority. I have discussed this with my friends and experts, and they all agree that he has got complete immunity,” he added.

In concluding remarks of his 7-minutes argument, the Prime Minister said that he will appear whenever the court will summon.

After completing his arguments, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said today is the great day in the history of the country as the Chief Executive is appearing before the bench.

Aitzaz Ahsan, the counsel of Prime Minister Gilani, during the proceedings, said he was here only to defend the premier, not Secretary Law. Only Law Secretary can inform why he did not write a summary detailing the president’s immunity.

He stated that until Asif Zardari was holding the office of president, letter couldn’t be written to Swiss authorities as he enjoys immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution.

Supreme Court’s verdict will be implemented when President Asif Ali Zardari is no longer president, said Aitzaz Ashan. This is not a normal case need time to prepare, he pleaded.

The apex court adjourned the hearing to Feb 1, leaving a brewing political crisis over corruption cases and presidential immunity unresolved.

The court has also exempted the premier from appearing for the upcoming hearing of the case.

The heads of the coalition partners, including PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Senior Federal Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, MQM parliamentary leader Dr Farooq Sattar, Fata parliamentary leader Munir Khan Orakzai, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa, Khyber-Paktunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kosar, cabinet members and senior PPP leaders are accompanying Prime Minister Gilani.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=9731

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jan 19 2012. Filed under Latest News, 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.