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

PM Gilani appeals against summons for indictment

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s prime minister Wednesday appealed against a court summons to face a contempt indictment next week, challenging an order that could ultimately force his weak government into early elections.

Pakistan’s highest court on February 2 summoned Yousuf Raza Gilani to appear on February 13 to face indictment, impatient over the government’s refusal to re-open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

It was a shock move from the Supreme Court that sharply escalated pressure on the embattled prime minister a year before his government would become the first in the history of Pakistan to complete an elected term in office.

Gilani’s lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan said he based the appeal on precedents set by top courts in Australia, Britain, France, India and the United States.

“My objection is that the court in its order on February 2 cited no specific reasons for initiating contempt of court proceedings against the prime minister,” he told reporters.

Gilani had appeared before the Supreme Court on January 19, refusing to back down over citing Zardari’s immunity as explanation for his refusal to obey the court’s order to ask Switzerland to re-open corruption cases.

The Swiss shelved the cases in 2008, when Zardari took office.

If convicted of contempt, the prime minister could be jailed for up to six months and disqualified from public office.

Ahsan said there were arguments against indicting the prime minister.

“The president enjoyed immunity and the Swiss authorities have also closed the case. I should not comment further on this issue,” he said.

In order to hear the appeal, the Supreme Court will need to constitute a larger bench of nine judges — not the seven who ordered him to appear.

The court will hear the appeal on Thursday, apparently the only available gap in a tight schedule before the February 13 summons.

Although Supreme Court Judge Nasir-ul-Mulk said there were grounds to proceed against Gilani, members of the government accuse judges of plotting with the army to wage a witch-hunt against the prime minister and president.

Legal experts say that Gilani can only avoid being charged by appealing, apologising or promising to write to the Swiss.

The allegations against Zardari were frozen by a Pakistani political amnesty imposed in 2007, which the courts overturned in late 2009.

Tainted by corruption allegations, Zardari is nicknamed “Mr 10 Percent” and spent 11 years in jail on charges ranging from corruption to murder, although his supporters point out that he was never convicted.

Zardari and his late wife, prime minister Benazir Bhutto, were suspected of using Swiss bank accounts to launder about $12 million in alleged bribes paid by companies seeking customs inspection contracts in Pakistan in the 1990s.

A Swiss prosecutor has since said it would be “impossible” to reopen the case against Zardari since he benefits from immunity as a head of state.

Former Supreme Court judges said they were not convinced of the grounds for appeal, but said the matter would have to be decided quickly.

“They can simply prolong the case for two or three weeks but apparently they have no solid ground in their defence. They have not come up with a satisfactory plea so far,” said Rashid Rizvi, a former Supreme Court judge.

One former chief justice called on the government to resign.

“It will be good for the country if the government quits and holds elections. The current situation is crippling the economy and people are dying because of poverty and lawlessness,” Fakhruddin Ebrahim told AFP. AGENCIES

Riko Diq goldmine case: CJ critical of bid to move ICJ

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ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry Thursday said the Riko Diq gold mines belongs to Pakistan.

Heading a three-member bench hearing Riko Diq Goldmine case, the Chief Justice Chaudhry noted taking recourse to the International Arbitration Court is an attempt to undermine the authority of the national institutions.

Raza Kazim, the counsel of petitioner and former Punjab MPA Ehsanullah Waqas told the court that the apex court’s ruling delivered on May 25 was an exhaustive verdict which was agreed upon by all parties; but, now, Tethyan Copper Company Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited (TCC) took the matter to world arbitration court i.e. International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The petitioner said the case cannot be taken up simultaneously by two forums.

The CJ queried if no one cares for the judicial system of the country, stressing this is an apparent attempt to curtail the stature of the Supreme Court (SC). TrendPK

PM appearance in contempt case: Security beefed up around SC

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ISLAMABAD: Security has been beefed up in and around the Supreme Court before and during the appearance of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in a contempt of court case today (Thursday).

Lockdown has been imposed on the Red Zone with no one allowed entrance. Also, the apex court has issued passes to 45 people in the request by the Prime Minister House.

According to a statement issued by the court, special entry passes have been issued for visitors, “for proper court decorum and smooth functioning of the Supreme Court.

Constitution Avenue will remain closed for every kind of movement and the only way in will be through NADRA headquarters.

The government employees and journalists will be allowed entry only on passes. Special protocol crew of the Prime Minister House has also arrived before the hearing. Rangers have been positioned around the premises of the court.

A seven-member bench headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk will hear the NRO implementation case. The bench issued a contempt notice to the PM on January 16 due to the non-implementation of the court decision in the NRO case.

As many as 150 passes were issued to journalists against the seating capacity of 65 in the courtroom No 4, while 30 seats are available in the gallery. 

Courtrooms, public entry gates and reception areas of the court have been furnished with special security cameras. TrendPK

Ministers, allies reach SC to escort Gilani

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ISLAMABAD: Members of parliament, federal ministers and coalition partners reached Supreme Court of Pakistan to accompany Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at his arrival in the Supreme Court on a contempt notice.

PPP lawyers and leaders showered flower petals on the PM when he entered the court premises to face a 7-member bench, headed by Justice Nasir Ul-Mulk. The court started hearing the NRO implementation case at around 9:30.

Veteran lawyer and central PPP leader Aitizaz Ahsan will serve as PM’s advocate to defend him in the contempt case.  

Those reached at the apex court early Thursday morning were PPP leaders Makhdum Amin Fahim, Rehman Malik, Maola Bux Chandio, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Samsam Bukhari, Khursheed Shah, Sharmila Farooqi.

Chief of PPP ally, Awami National Party, Asfandyar Wali also arrived at Supreme Court to join the PPP leadership.

PPP provincial chiefs, chief ministers of Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkwa and Gilgit Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir also accompanied the PM Gilani.

On the other hand, lawyers of Islamabad High Court (IHC) also reached the Supreme Court to show solidarity with the bench. The IHC has directed lawyers to reach the top court.
Security has been beefed up in and around the court with extra surveillance and police contingents. TrendPK

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

TrendPK.com

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

Karachi: Brotherhood Week from September 21

A meeting was held un Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Interior Minister Rehman Malik at the Chief Minister House in Karachi which was also attended by Sindh Home minister Manzoor Wasan and higher officials of law enforcement agencies. It was decided in the meeting that ‘Brotherhood Week’ will be observed from September 21 to restore law and order and peace in Karachi.

It was also decided in the meeting that as per Supreme Court instructions, all the arrested target killers will be brought before public. Talking during the meeting, Rehman Malik vowed to continue indiscriminate action against criminals.

Apex court seeks text of Mirza’s statements

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry has directed Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) to obtain detailed text of the robust statement of senior Sindh minister Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza which the latter stated addressing a press conference in Karachi on Sunday afternoon, TrendPK reported.

SC is all set to hear suo motto case concerning fresh spate of violence and target killings in metropolis at its Karachi Registry today (Monday).

Meanwhile, stern security arrangements have been adopted in and around SC’s Karachi building to ensure peaceful and secure hearing of the case.

According to details, routes, leading to registry building, have been clogged with mammoth containers while heavy police and Rangers’ contingents have been put in place in the area. TrendPK

Law on fake cheque being misused: CJP

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court led by Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry conducted hearing of a bogus cheque case.

Ghulam Murtaza is accused of giving a bogus check worth Rs 1 million.

The CJP remarked that the law of bogus cheque was being misused and the trend was promoting corruption.

He said that imprisonment of three years might be announced for the criminal involved in bogus cheques, adding that the accused of this case had faced eight month imprisonment, yet his trial could not start.

The CJ accepted the bail plea of the accused Ghulam Murtaza and ordered to release him on a surety bond.

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