3:06 AM
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned the prime minister’s contempt 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.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani appeared in the court today to explain why he should not be charged with contempt for failing to re-open old corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
He became the third elected prime minister to appear in court on contempt charges.
Gilani’s counsel Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan told the bench that the prime minister had appeared before the court as directed.
He said the Swiss cases against Zardari could only be reopened once he ceases to be the president.
Ahsan requested the court for a month’s time to file a response. He said the time was required to access and go through the case’s record. Responding to which, Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk said that access to records could be provided in two days’ time.
Gilani also presented his arguments in the court and said that he had “appeared before the apex court previously as well…Benazir Bhutto and Nusrat Bhutto also appeared before courts during their lifetimes”.
He said: “We respect the courts…my intention is to respect the constitution and my associates also respect the constitution.”
“I decided to appear before the court immediately after getting the notice,” he added.
Gilani further said that the president enjoyed immunity from prosecution in the 18th Amendment, adding that a president elected with a two-thirds 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.
Concluding his arguments, Gilani said that he had not given any impression that would entail contempt of court.
During the hearing, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany said that deliberately refusing to implement a court order was tantamount to contempt of court, adding that, the premier has said that he had no intention of committing contempt.
Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk commended the prime minister for appearing before the court.
Moreover, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said that the media reported the ruling on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case in an inaccurate manner.
Federal ministers and lawmakers from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and allied parties were also present on the occassion.
A FTNews reporter present on the court’s premisis said that no Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader was present during the hearing.
Speaking to media representatives before the hearing began, Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan praised the role the PPP played in the restoration and independence of judiciary.
Whereas, Asfandyar Wali Khan, chief of the Awami National Party, told journalists that friends are not to be left alone in difficult times.
He said that being a coilation partner of the government he had to come to the court.
“The court wanted some clarifications and the prime minister decided to attend himself. This is something the court and media should appreciate,” Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters.
A spokesman for the ruling party, Qamar Zaman Kaira, said Gilani’s acceptance of the court summons “shows his respect” for the country’s highest court.
“We fight cases in the courts, we do not fight with courts,” Kaira added.
Meanwhile, strict security measures were in place in the capital city on the day when the bench began proceedings.
Surveillance cameras had been installed in court rooms as well as at public entry gates and in reception areas.
Due to limited seating capacity in room No 4, entry was regulated through passes. The gallery was reserved for media representatives.
Moreover, no one was allowed to enter the city’s Red Zone area or the Supreme Court premises without special permission passes.
Posted in: NATIONAL
