SC calls off contempt proceedings against FIA chief Shah

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ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) Friday brought to an end the contempt proceedings against Director General of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Tehseen Anwar Shah, who extended apology in Khurram Rasool case.

A three-strong bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry heard the contempt case against the FIA’s DG Shah, who told the court that Khurram asserted that he had bargain worth Rs.160 million between him and the petitioner.

The FIA has indentified Khurram’s property with an estimate worth of Rs.500 million, which will be confiscated.

Tehseen Shah apologized to the court over the contempt; on this, the proceedings regarding the contempt of court against him were abolished. TrendPK

Hearing of PM’s contempt case gets underway in SC

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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday started hearing of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s contempt case, TrendPK reports.

Gilani has challenged the contempt indictment verdict through an intra-court appeal on Wednesday which is being heard by an eight-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

PM’s counsel and veteran lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan is currently giving his arguments before the jury against the court summons issued to PM Gilani to appear on February 13 and face indictment over his failure in reopening Swiss money laundering cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Gilani, in his appearance in the Supreme Court on January 19, has cited Zardari’s immunity as explanation for his refusal to obey the court’s order to ask Switzerland to re-open corruption cases. TrendPK

Babar Awan contempt case: Hearing adjourns till Feb.20

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ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) adjourned the contempt case hearing against former Federal Law Minister Babar Awan till February 20.

Babar Awan said his statement was not intended to subject the court to ridicule, pleading the court to adjourn the case hearing as his counsel Ali Zafar is abroad.

The three-judge SC bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, granting Babar’s plea, adjourned the hearing till February 20.

During the previous hearing, Ramzan Chaudhry, an associate of Babar Awan, appearing before the court on Awan’s part, said that the PPP leader is in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and would return on February 3.

Awan’s counsel Chaudhry requested the court to give Babar Awan further time to submit his reply against the notice. The court accepting the plea, adjourned the hearing until February 9 (today).

It should be mentioned here Babar Awan Babar addressed a press conference against the court’s December 1, 2011, order on the memogate case. TrendPK

SC suspends by-polls results: 28 lawmakers disqualified

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ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) suspended the membership of 28 members of the Parliament, as the government fails to get 20th Amendment passed, TrendPK reports Monday.

It should be mentioned here the court, in its previous hearing, set February 6 as the deadline to the government to give legal cover to the by-polls and warned the government of disqualification of the lawmakers elected in by-polls.

There are nine MNAs and three senators who were disqualified by the apex court, one from Balochistan and two MPAs from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The members disqualified by the apex court are Federal Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain, Jamshed Dasti, Owais Leghari, Khuda Bux Rajar.

The suspended lawmakers also include Asghar Ali Jutt, Akhtar Kanju, Shafqat Hyat Khan, Tasadduq Masood Khan, Sardar Mumtaz Khan, Khadija Amir Yar Malik.

A four-member SC bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry heard the case regarding the voter lists on the petition filed by Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan against fake electoral lists of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Tariq Pervez and Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmani are the other members of the bench. 

The suspended members include eight from Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and nine from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Punjab Assembly’s nine lawmakers and Sindh Assembly’s four members were declared ineligible to continue as lawmakers.

It should be mentioned here the apex court stayed the process of by-elections on the present electoral rolls and held that the by-polls under an incomplete Election Commission are unconstitutional and illegal; hence, legislation is needed to afford legality to these by-elections.

Meantime, the court gave time till today to the Parliament to endorse the by elections results.

National Assembly will meet today after an interval of two days to make an attempt for the passage of Twentieth Amendment. The government needs support from its coalition partners as well as the opposition parties for the purpose. TrendPK

PM Gilani says he will respect court verdict

ISLAMABAD: Embattled Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Friday he will respect the outcome of a supreme court move to indict him on contempt charges.

The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered Gilani to appear before it on February 13, to be indicted with contempt for failing to pursue corruption cases against president Asif Ali Zardari.

The shock announcement threatens to plunge his weak government deeper into crisis and force early elections within months.

“I will go there and I will present my stance before the court,” Gilani told reporters in the eastern city of Lahore.

He said the matter was “sub-judice” and he should not comment on the issue, but added that he “will respect the court order” and reiterated his opposition to conflict between state institutions.

Supreme Court judge Nasir-ul-Mulk told the court Thursday there were grounds to proceed against Gilani over the government’s refusal to follow a court order and ask Swiss authorities to re-open graft cases against Zardari.

Switzerland shelved the cases in 2008, when Zardari took office.

The government argued that Zardari has immunity from prosecution while head of state and accused judges of plotting with the military to wage a witch-hunt against him.

The prime minister told parliament late Thursday he will appear in the Court.

“I have attended the court when summoned in the past and I will attend again now,” he said, adding that “everybody should follow the constitution”. AGENCIES

Four legal experts advised PM against letter, Aitzaz tells SC

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ISLAMABAD: A seven-member Supreme Court (SC) bench headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk is currently hearing the contempt case against Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, TrendPK reports Thursday.

The PM Gilani’s counsel, Aitezaz Ahsan is giving arguments before the court. The former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader has been directed to complete his arguments in the preliminary hearing by tea break.

Aitzaz said acting upon the Rules of Business is a constitutional pre-requisite and under the Business Rules, it is Law Ministry which is to advise the PM on legal affairs.

The PM’s Counsel stressed the power of decision will rest with the Prime Minister, in case Attorney General of Pakistan is at variance with the law ministry over the advice.

Furthermore, he informed the court that as many as four legal experts advised the PM Gilani in National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case not to write the letter; only the then Attorney General Anwar Mansoor voiced difference of opinion.

Justice Mulk remarked besides Anwar Mansoor, Law Secretary Aqil Mirza also expressed opposition and both of them resigned from their offices over the issue.

Justice Mulk queried as to how much weight to be given to the opinion of legal experts in presence of clear-cut court instructions.

Ahsan submitted the court in grade 22 promotion case, bound the Prime Minister to implement the summary.

Justice Athar Saeed remarked the Prime Minister is authorized also to dismiss the advice. However, Ahsan said the court held the rejection of advice as incorrect in Grade 22 promotion case.

Ahsan said it is not criminal not to use the power to reject the advice. TrendPK

Contempt case: PM Gilani calls emergency meeting

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ISLAMABAD: Embroiled in yet another quagmire, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called a meeting of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders and coalition partners to discuss the situation triggered by an order of seven-member bench seeking him to appear in person before the court on February 13.

The bench headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk directed the PM Gilani to appear before the court on February when he will be indicted of contempt charge for not implementing the court orders given in relation with the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Aitezaz Ahsan said the PM Gilani is entitled to appeal if he is indicted of contempt, adding he can continue as the premier of the country as well.

PM Gilani will have a meeting with the PPP Core Committee this evening. Also Aitezaz has been invited to the meeting. TrendPK

Come back for more details.

Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry: Update

When we last reported about this situation it was revealed that Children and Family Services were getting involved and they have spoken. The L.A. County Children and Family Services feel as though Nahla needs to go to counseling. Currently, Halle Berry has not been accused of abusing her daughter but her baby daddy Gabriel Aubry is a whole different story. The nanny has said to have witnessed this herself as well as experienced some of the abuse from Aubry.

Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry both have to appear in court today. Halle Berry is hoping that the judge prohibits Gabriel from being around their daughter until the investigation is over. However, Gabriel has plans as well. He is seeking to have a restraining order against the nanny and have her fired because he feels as though the only reason she is making up these stories is so she can get on Halle’s good side. However, Gabriel Aubry is the one who has enrolled in anger management classes to help control his temper.

We are not sure what exactly is going to take place in the courtroom today but we do know that it is quite likely that Halle Berry will be asked to testify.

Be sure to visit trendpk.com where this article was originally published for more celebrity gossip and celebrity news.

Govt doesn’t want to sack army, ISI chiefs: AG tells SC

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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court, admitting a plea against the possible sacking of military and ISI chiefs for formal hearing, asked the government to reply in two weeks.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the petition today.

Attorney General Maulvi Anwar ul Haq said the government doesn’t want to take such an action.

On this, Chief Justice Chaudhry said it is better if government submits this in written form.

The attorney general said the court should not rely on newspaper reports.

He said the petitioner would have also ready a statement in which Prime Minister had himself denied.

The chief justice directed the attorney general to get government’s response in two weeks and tell the court. TrendPK

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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