SC indicts PM Gilani on contempt charge

TrendPK.com
ISLAMABAD: A seven-member of the Supreme Court (SC) framed charges of contempt against Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) Implementation case.

The SC bench headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk read out the 2-page charge sheet signed by all bench judges and indicted him of the contempt with PM Gilani standing in the dock.

“Have you read the charges framed against you?” asked the bench.

“Yes, I have read. I understood,” he replied adding after the consultation with his counsel, “I will plead innocence.”

The court exempted the PM Gilani from appearing in person in next hearing.

The 2-page charge sheet states that the PM Gilani violated Article 204 of the Constitution by not writing a letter to the Swiss authorities in accordance with the court orders. It said he also violated para- 178 of the court’s verdict in the NRO implementation case.

Later on, the PM Gilani’s counsel Aitezaz Ahsan pleaded the court he will go to London on February 18 and will return on 21.

Granting his plea, the court said the evidences will be recorded on February 28, adding the documents of the prosecution will be submitted on February 22.

Attorney General has been directed file documents by 16 February.

It should be mentioned here on Friday, the SC dismissed the intra-court appeal filed by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani against indictment order, saying the indictment ruling by seven-member bench is in accordance with law.

An eight-strong bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry heard the appeal against the February 2 order; however, concluding the proceedings, the court upheld the previous ruling by 7-member bench, saying there is no need for the apex court to interfere with the proceedings of the seven-strong bench.

Earlier, the court was prayed to retract the show-cause notice issued to the PM Gilani. The court held that the cases abolished abroad, will be revived and a letter was sought from the government of Pakistan to this effect, adding the government never on any stage opposed this.

The order said the PM Gilani was called upon to implement this order in the capacity of chief executive of the country; but, he failed to perform his duty in this regard.

The five-member bench, consequently, kick-started the judicial proceedings; but, the government continued its policy of negligence and avoidance to implement the order. Viewing this government attitude, the court gave six –option ruling on January 10.

Even now, there was no headway in this connection; then, a seven-strong bench issued contempt of court notice to the PM Gilani on January 16; but, the court did not receive any written rejoinder from him to this date.

The PM’s counsel Aitezza Ahsan, a renowned lawyer told the court, “The PM Gilani was not directed in the show-cause notice to give a written order.”

The apex court, after hearing the PM’s counsel for two consecutive days, decided today (Friday) to indict him (PM Gilani) on next hearing scheduled on February 13 (today) before the seven-judge bench.

The next hearing will be held on February 22 and then on Feb. 28. TrendPK

Pak-India clash: PM Gilani announces Wednesday as a half working day

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has announced Wednesday as a half working day in lieu of Pak-India World Cup semifinal, TrendPK reported on Tuesday.

Earlier, Balochistan’s Chief Minister Nawaz Aslam Raisani also made the same announcement.

Shahid Afridi’s men will take on India in the much-hyped semifinal clash in Mohali on March 30.

Prime Minister Gilani will also go to Mohali to watch the match at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh. TrendPK

Gilani rules out talks with militants working on foreign agenda

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday reiterated his administration’s resolve to pursue the policy of 3Ds (dialogue, development, deterrence).

He pledged to hold talks with tribal who are ready to surrender their arms to the tribal agents of their respective areas.

“We are ready to hold talks with those who will voluntarily decommission to the tribal agents. We are ready to bring them into mainstream,” he said while speaking in the National Assembly.

However, the Prime Minister ruled out any dialogue with those working on foreign agenda. TrendPK

Govt. will honor court on Davis case: Gilani

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said on Wednesday that the government will honor the court on the issue of US embassy employee Raymond Davis case.

PM Gilani rejecting the allegations said that the government had not directed foreign ministry to prepare summary of release of Davis.
“The government will do all things in favor of nation and country.” TrendPK

Politics of reconciliation is not weakness, says PM

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said that the politics of reconciliation should not be thought as a weakness.

While his address in Rahim Yar Khan the PM said that Punjab Chief Minister has authority to summon rangers in the province.

He also said that Punjab CM should take steps to curb terrorism, extremism and the incidents of kidnapping for ransom in the province.

No country can move forward without maintain peace and law and order, he added. TrendPK

Centre not silent on Davis issue: Gilani

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday refused to comment on US national, Raymond Daviss case, who is alleged of killing two Pakistanis, saying that the Punjab government is investigating the issue and nothing could be said until the report comes.

Talking to media, the PM rubbishes the notion that the federal government is doing nothing over the issue; the matter is sub judice in the court thus I wont said anything in this regard, he maintained. Referring to the economic problems, the Premier said that the country is faced with economic crunch but that has not assumed the form of crisis.

Lahore: Parents of Justice Javaid Iqbal killed

Parents of Justice Javaid Iqbal of Supreme Court have been murdered by unknown persons at their house in Cavalry Ground Lahore on Tuesday night, trendpk.com reported.

According to police sources, some armed men entered into their house and killed Abdul Hameed and his wife. They were alone at home at the time of incident while Justice Javaid Iqbal was in Islamabad. They were muffled to death with putting pillows on their faces.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed grief over the incident and directed to submit an inquiry report in this regard within two days. Rehman Malik has formed a team comprised of IB, ISI and FIA officials. Supreme Court Bar and Punjab Bar Council have announced strike today.

Punjab Governor Latif Khosa, Federal Law Minister Babar Awan and Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry along with others arrived at Justice Javaids residence.

Latif Khosa Appointed as Punjab Governor

ISLAMABAD, trendpk: President Asif Ali Zardari appointed close aide Latif Khosa to succeed the murdered governor of the Punjab province Salman Taseer on recommendation by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Earlier, President Zardari held consultations with senior leaders of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in connection with the appointment of Punjab governor at Bilawal House in Karachi. The announcement was made public after an elaborate meeting between Latif Khosa and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, which was held on January 9.

Later on the same date, the PM Gilani sent to President Zardari the summary with recommendation for appointing Latif Khosa as new Punjab governor. According to President House’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar, Presdient Zardari today signed the summary.

Analysts say Khosa will try to avoid antagonising the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to tamp down disputes that have paralysed the federal government. Though soft-spoken and non-confontational, he is an ardent supporter of the PPP.

Khosa is the successor of Salman Taseer, the outspoken governor of the central province of Punjab, who was gunned down by one of his bodyguards in Islamabad on Tuesday for supporting changes in the country’s blasphemy law.

Khosa said earlier on Saturday that Zardari had called him along with Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar and Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh for a meeting in Karachi.

“I will accept whatever the decision of my leadership,” he said.

Taseer was fiery and often clashed publicly with Nawaz and his brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shabaz Sharif. Khosa, on the other hand, is soft-spoken and non-confrontational. But he is an ardent supporter of the PPP.

Khosa’s appointment comes just one day before an ultimatum given by Nawaz Sharif to Zardari’s government on Tuesday to accept a list of his demands or face expulsion of PPP members from the Punjab provincial government.

Latif Khosa is a Pakistani senator and advocate, and the previous Attorney General of Pakistan. He was appointed the Attorney General on 19 August, 2008. He co-authored an electoral fraud report with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto shortly before her assassination in December 2007. Khosa was one of Bhutto’s top aides.

Senator Khosa appeared before the acting Chief Justice Javaid Iqbal in a hearing over the handling of the Iftikhar Chaudry sacking issue. Khosa claimed to be working to have the ex-Chief Justice reinstated.

Latif Khosa has been recently removed form the office of Attorney General of Pakistan on October 10th 2009 due to allegations and on 10 February 2010 as Advisor of Information Technology of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

On 20 July 2010, advisor to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Information Technology Sardar Latif Khosa sent his resignation to the President after developing disagreements with the Premier.

Karachi: PM meets Sindh Governor

Karachi, trendpk :- Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the challenges being faced by the country demand resolutions through collective wisdom which is the basic objective behind the governments reconciliation policy. The Prime Minister was talking to Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah here at the Governor House on Thursday night.

The Prime Minister said that the unity demonstrated by all the political parties in the National Assembly today was manifestation of the political leadership concerned for the welfare and betterment of the people and the country. The same spirit, he added, needs to be followed by all provinces of the country. The Prime Minister said that he had already declared his resolve to solve the problems of the common people in the year 2011 and would take along all the stakeholders in the larger national interest. Earlier the Governor and Chief Minister Sindh apprised the Prime Minister on the law and order situation in the Sindh Province, as well as, the progress on various development projects in that province.

Security Stepped up in Lahore on Salman Taseer’s Burial

LAHORE, trendpk: Funeral prayers of Punjab governor Salman Taseer will be offered at Governor House Lahore this noon.

Taseer, who was shot dead by a guard in Islamabad on Tuesday, will be buried at Cavalary Graveyard.

Security has been stepped up and over 1000 security men have been deployed in Lahore.

The dead body of Salman Taseer, has been airlifted to Lahore and his funeral prayers will be offered after Zohar prayers today. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and top political officials of the country will attend the funeral.

The dead body of the assassinated governor of Punjab was taken to his residence in Lahore, later the remains shifted to Governor House in Lahore.

Earlier, the dead body of the governor of Punjab, after post mortem at PIMS hospital in Islamabad, was airlifted to Lahore through C-130 airplane. Federal ministers Babar Awan, Rehman Malik and Qamar Zaman Kaira reached Lahore with the body. The dead body was received at airport by Salman Taseer’s son Hassan Shahzad, Chief Minister of Sindh Sayed Qaim Ali Shah and Fariyal Talpur.

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