Prime Minister Gilani to be indicted on February 13

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that contempt of court proceedings would be initiated against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, summoning him on February 13 to frame charges.

A seven-member bench of the Supreme Court with Justice Nasirul Mulk in the chair observed, “After the preliminary hearing, we are satisfied that prima facie there is a case for further proceeding into the matter. The Prime minister is required to remain present in the court.”

Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan during the hearing strengthened his argument by presenting Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s earlier order which stated that the prime minister was obliged to take advice in all matters before taking any decision.

He had stressed in the last hearing that his client did not take the decision of not writing the letter to Swiss authorities himself, but was instead advised to take the step.

He argued that following the chief justice’s earlier order, Gilani was supposed to seek advice from the Law Ministry and the Human Rights Division before taking any action, and the advice he received in the NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) implementation case was not in favour of the court’s decision.

Aitzaz Ahsan stated, “In any civil or military issue, the government has to consult the Law, Justice and Human Rights Division. According to the Rules of Business 1973, the prime minister should have consultations before taking any decision.”

Whereupon, Justice Nasirul Mulk remarked that the PM was efficient in listening to the Law Ministry and the Human Rights Division, but did not give due consideration to the court’s rulings.

In an unparallel move, Aitzaz Ahsan presented a summary to the court from September 23, 2010, which stated that there were no cases against President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani in Switzerland.

He prayed before court that the Swiss authorities dispatched a letter to Pakistani authorities asking for evidence, in reply to which, the government assured them that all the cases were closed in the country owing to the NRO. On which, the Swiss authorities closed the cases on lack of evidence, he added.

Expressing its surprise, the court raised a question why it has never been presented in any of the previous hearings, adding that if the cases are closed, then why is the government afraid of dispatching the letter to Swiss authorities.

The court continued that the government should write the letter for its satisfaction, and then we will see what the Swiss authorities have to say in reply.

The prime minister’s lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan said it was possible to appeal. He commented, “He has been asked to be present in person on February 13 when he will be indicted. There is a possibility for an appeal in this matter. It is up to the court whether to suspend this order or not. This will be decided after getting a copy of the order.”

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=11544

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Feb 2 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. 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.