I acted within the limits of the Constitution: PM Gilani

TrendPK.com
ISLAMABAD: A seven-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) is currently in a hearing of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) Implementation case which saw a turning point when Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani appeared before the bench stressing that he did not intended contempt.

Standing on the rostrum before the seven judges, PM Gilani stated that he acted in absolute harmony with the Constitution which enshrines immunity for the President of the state.

Justice Nasirul Mulk appreciated the PM’s appearance at the court.

As the Prime Minister’s representative, Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Aitezaz Ahsan said that the Secretary Law was instructed regarding the Swiss letter on January 3.

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said the Secretary brought a summary which the court jettisoned.

Gilani said he looked at the operational part of the summary, which advised not to write the letter.

Justice Nasir said the court termed this summary as a summary of non-implementation.

Justice Khosa said the petitioner was not asked in the order to issue a summary, adding that the summary of the NRO implementation sent by the Law Ministry was not intended to implement it; instead, it was to stay the implementation.

Earlier, the PM said, “We honor the judicial order in compliance with the Constitution. Had there been no constitution, there would have been no respect for you and us.”
“What message will go across the world if we send the President to the court keeping in view the President and Prime Minister enjoy complete immunity?” he said to the court.

He maintained that he never attempted such a step which caused contempt of the court, adding that the PPP leadership all the way from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to President Asif Ali Zardari had appeared before the court.

I came here to appear before the court under charge while others showed up as a token of respect for the judiciary, the PM said.

Meanwhile, helicopters are inspecting the security situation around the court premises. High alert of security in the city has caused serious troubles to common people who faced massive hurdles in reaching their respective destinations. TrendPK