News
Friday, January 20, 2012
Prove it, SC asks AitzazISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday told Aitzaz Ahsan, the counsel for Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, to convince the bench that President Asif Ali Zardari had constitutional immunity. A seven-member Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk, granted two weeks to the counsel to submit a reply in the contempt of court case against the prime minister for not writing letter to the Swiss authorities regarding the reopening of cases against President Zardari. During the hearing of the case, Aitzaz argued that it was not necessary to issue contempt of court notice to the prime minister for not writing a letter to the Swiss authorities, saying not writing the letter did not call for criminal proceeding against the premier. He said that his client genuinely believed in the president’s immunity and therefore there was no need to write to the Swiss authorities. The court asked the counsel to satisfy the court on the issue of immunity. Upon this, Aitzaz Ahsan said he had appeared in the case wherein contempt of court notice had been issued to his client. He also said that he would try to satisfy the court regarding the matter. Justice Osmany asked if the court proves that president had no immunity, will the government then write a letter to the Swiss authorities. Aitzaz said that his client would follow the constitution. He informed the court that the prime minister had to go by the advice and summary of the law secretary, but unfortunately no proper advice or summary had been submitted to him on the issue. Justice Osmany said that a lot of officials, including the NAB chairman, got wrong advice. Justice Khosa said, “There are 90 percent chances that you would succeed but first try to persuade and once you will convince us then there will be no issue.” The court observed there was an impression that the government willfully disobeyed the NRO judgement. Aitzaz replied that the prime minister had no intention to disobey the court’s order and had taken oath to uphold the constitution. The court on the request of Aitzaz Ahsan adjourned the hearing till February 1. staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk