High-ups arrive at SC for contempt case hearing

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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) will indict Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani today for not implementing the court orders for over two years now. Political leaders have started to pour into the premises.

Various leaders including Firdous Ashinq Awan, Khurshid Shah, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Asfandyar Wali Khan, Qamaruz Zaman Kaira and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf have arrived at the apex court to hear the landmark contempt case against the PM Gilani.

The red zone area of the federal capital has been sealed due to sensitive nature of today’s case and will stay sealed till PM Gilani’s return.

Talking to media outside the premises of the apex court, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the PM Gilani took oath to abide by the Constitution and it is hoped that the court will do justice to him.

Meantime, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, talking to the battery of reporters outside the apex court building, said he had offered a good counsel to the PM Gilani in this regard. TrendPK

PM to ensure supremacy of law: Firdous, ANP chief

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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Thursday said the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani wants to ensure the supremacy of the Constitution and the law.

Arriving at the Supreme Court (SC) here, she said the government will not allow any disgrace come to the institutions.

Awami National Party (ANP) Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, when asked on his arrival at the court, said he offered his advice only to the Prime Minister, adding his party never left its allies in lurch. TrendPK
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I acted within the limits of the Constitution: PM Gilani

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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

PM contempt notice: Hearing adjourned till Feb.1

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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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Govt likely to submit 20th Amendment Bill in NA

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ISLAMABAD: The government is likely to table 20th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the National Assembly today (Wednesday).

Under the bill, government has proposed a change in Article 218 of the Constitution, suggesting that an incomplete election commission should be considered as legal.

It said Chief Election Commission should be given extra responsibilities in the absence of one or more members.

The bill further said the Supreme Court had raised questions about holding of by-election through an incomplete election commission.

This amendment, it said, is necessary to grant legal protection to the commission. TrendPK

Govt. presents 20th Amendment Bill in National Assembly

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ISLAMABAD: The government has presented 20th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the National Assembly today, TrendPK reported on Wednesday.

The government has proposed a change in Article 218 of the Constitution through this bill, suggesting that an incomplete election commission should be considered as legal.

The bill suggests that the Chief Election Commission should be given extra responsibilities in the absence of one or more members.

The 20th Amendment Bill adds further that the Supreme Court had raised questions about holding of by-elections through an incomplete election commission.

To grant legal protection to the Election Commission, this amendment is essential, the bill recommends. TrendPK

ICC bans government meddling

HONG KONG: Cricket’s governing body on Thursday banned countries from appointing politicians to national cricket boards, vowing to free the sport from undue government influence.

The International Cricket Council told a media conference in Hong Kong that it had made the decision to uphold “the important principle of free elections and the independence” of the sport.

“It was agreed that all member boards must implement the provisions before annual conference June 2012 and a further 12 months — to June 2013 — would be allowed before any sanctions be considered,” the ICC said in a statement issued in Hong Kong.

The reform, which allows the ICC to suspend a member country in the event of government interference in the running of a national cricket board, will be hugely controversial in Pakistan, where the president is the cricket board’s patron. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will also be hit by the change.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could not immediately be reached for comment.

Chairman Ijaz Butt has been criticised by former players, politicians and media for being a political appointee of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party.

The PCB has already sent a legal notice to the ICC on the amendment and has threatened legal action if the constitution is changed.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the ICC’s full council after four days of talks between the chief executives’ committee and executive board at glitzy hotels in downtown Hong Kong.

“This is a significant step towards achieving best practice and together with the independent governance review, I am excited by the commitment of the ICC to introduce best possible corporate governance,” ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said. AGENCIES

SC seeks government reply over reformation of ECP

The Supreme Court, taking notice of the plea file by News Trends senior anchor Mubashar Luqman, sought the federal government’s reply over delay in reformation of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) under the constitution.

A three-member bench on the SC, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heard the plea of Mubashar Luqman about incomplete formation of the ECP. The SC also linked the plea of Imran Khan about bogus votes with the case. The SC, while issuing the notices, ordered the government to submit a written reply in the case.

Mubashar Luqman requested the court to stop the ECP from holding local body elections. The CJP said that the decision would be announced after parties’ reply. After the hearing, Imran Khan said that 30 million bogus votes questioned the credibility of democratic system.

SC moved against Rehman Malik’s eligibility

ISLAMABAD: A petition was filed in Supreme Court seeking disqualification of Interior Minister Rehman Malik over his failure to recite a Surah of Holy Quran at a cabinet’s meeting.

The petitioner, Advocate Tariq Asad, argued that Rehman Malik has become ineligible for holding public office under Article 63 of the Constitution due to wrong recitation of Quranic Surah.

He pleaded that apex court direct Chairman of the Senate to forward a reference against Rehman Malik before Election Commission.

Prime Minister, federal government, chief election commissioner, Senate chairman and Interior Minister have been made parties in the application.

Senate Passes 19th Amendment Bill

ISLAMABAD, trendpk: The draft of the 19th amendment in the constitution will be placed before the Senate today for approval.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on inter-provincial coordination Senator Mian Raza Rabbani who is heading the constitutional reforms committee of the Parliament and author of the 18th and 19th constitutional amendments will pilot the bill in the Senate today after Question Hour.

The session wold be held at Parliament House at 1030am this morning.

It is expected that Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani will also be present when the Senate would resume its sitting in the Parliament House. He will later address the upper house of the Parliament.

The senate session will be adjourned sine die after the Bill is approved. It should be mentioned here that National Assembly has already adopted the 19th Amendment.

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