News
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
SC asks govt to file ‘clear’ reply in two weeks: No case registered against Zardari in Switzerland: Awan* Law minister says only investigations were conducted
* Summary for reference against Malik Qayyum sent to PMBy Masood Rehman
ISLAMABAD: No case is filed against President Asif Ali Zardari in Switzerland, Law Minister Babar Awan said on Tuesday.
Awan told the Supreme Court that according to the record, the only investigations against the president were conducted in a Swiss court. However, adding that the action was unilateral.
“There was absolutely no case at all,” he said.
The Supreme Court directed the law minister to submit a report within two weeks on the steps taken by the government to implement the SC’s December 16, 2009 verdict on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).
A five-member SC bench consisting of Justice Nasirul Mulk, Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, Justice Rahmat Hussain Jafferi and Justice Tariq Parvez gave the directives.
“We will pass an order in view of the concise statement to be filed by you,” Justice Mulk told Awan. “I will come up to the expectations of the court,” Awan said.
“There should be a clear reply as to what steps have been taken in implementing the NRO verdict and whether the government intends to implement the entire order in letter and spirit or not,” Justice Ahmed said.
Summary: The law minister said the government revered the SC and there was absolutely no question of a confrontation. He said the summary for reference against former attorney general Malik Qayyum had been sent to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
Awan told the court that he was going abroad, therefore he needed three weeks to file the report.
However, the court directed him to file the concise statement within two weeks and adjourned the hearing for June 10. The court also exempted Awan from personal appearance.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk