Supreme Court gives Aitzaz Ahsan more time to complete his evidence

The Supreme Court criticized the assertion of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani over his non-compliance, directing counsel for the premier Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan to complete his evidence by April 18, 2012.

However, the lawyer said that he was not in position to make any promise whether he would be able to complete his argument or not. A seven-member bench of the apex court with Justice Nasirul Mulk in the chair resumed hearing of the contempt of court case against the premier.

While briefing the media, Aitzaz Ahsan said that he emphasized during the course of hearing on the Article 10 (a) of the Constitution, which gives every citizen a right to fair trial.

He observed, “Any judge, who takes notice of any incident, without a petition filed or an FIR registered, automatically becomes a complainant in the case and hence is not eligible to hear the case”.

Commenting on blanket immunity President Asif Ali Zardari enjoys inside and outside the country, he said, “I don’t deny when people say [the $7 million in the Swiss banks] that it is public money and should be brought back to the country, let [President] Zardari’s tenure be over, then he could be tried”.

In his view, the Asif Ali Zardari enjoys immunity and cannot be trailed before any court as long as he holds the president’s office. Aitzaz Ahsan continued that Zardari was an elected, constitutional president, rather an army officer who came into power through a coupe.

While arguing before the bench, he said that the contempt of court ordinance of 2003 was obsolete and that a new ordinance was presented in 2004.

He reiterated his stance that his client had exercised according to the summary sent by the Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs.

Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani remarked that he did not solicit immunity under Article-248 of the Constitution.

Upon which, Aitezaz said the PM’s counsel cannot demand this, as only president or governor can seek immunity and the case being heard by the court is against the Prime Minister, not the president.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=18798

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Apr 12 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.