PM contempt notice: Hearing adjourned till Feb.1

TrendPK.com
ISLAMABAD: Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadler Aitezaz Ahsan  said the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani did not write the letter to the Swiss officials as the immunity entitled by the Constitution is there.

Appearing before a seven-judge bench headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk, Aitezaz pleaded that his client did not attempt any contempt, as he acted constitutionally.

Addressing Aitezaz, Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani remarked then the matter ends here. On this, Ahsan pleaded the court for more time for preparation, as this is not a common case. He pleaded he did not receive complete record over the issue.

“I need a month to read all the relevant records in the NRO case,” Ahsan prayed to the court saying President enjoys immunity in every court and this immunity is not limited to merely Pakistani courts.

The PM’s counsel stressed the judges are also required to abide by the Constitution, of which they are on oath.

On this, the court, giving him two weeks time, adjourned the proceedings till February 1. It should be mentioned here the counsel solicited one month time. Meantime, the PM Gilani has been exempted from the appearance in person during the next hearing.

Earlier, Ahsan said no letter will be written to the Swiss authorities against President Asif Ali Zardari until he stays in his office, adding PM Gilani will act upon the implementation order as the time approaches for the purpose.

“Can the PM Gilani be held responsible for the contempt of the court, if we take stock of the judicial orders?” he queried adding his arguments are focused on this single point.

Aitezaz said he did not come to the court for to effect change in the court order; nor does he intend to bring it under discussion.

Justice Usmani said the government did not raise the immunity of anyone before.

Earlier, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Nasirul Mulk appreciated the PM Gilani on his appearance before the bench.

Ahsan noted, ‘Chief Justice enjoys immunity in cases; the same applies to other constitutional offices.’ On this, the court said President’s immunity will be debated in the next hearing.

Justice Khosa said to Ahsan, “No more proceedings will be required if you satisfies the court on Article-248 of the Constitution.”

Justice Usmani said it is the court which will decide if the approach of the PM Gilani regarding the immunity is in the right or wrong asking him as to why he does not give arguments over Article-248.

Justice Usmani asked him to clarify the link between the writing a letter and immunity, querying him if he will write a letter if the court vindicates that President does not enjoy immunity.

Justice Usmani asked him if he wanted to file his rejoinder in reply to show cause notice. Ahsan replied he could answer only after viewing the record, which he did not receive as yet.

On this, the court directed National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Law ministry to give him (Ahsan) access to the record. TrendPK

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