Writing letter may save the PM from contempt: Chief Justice

Writing letter may save the PM from contempt: Chief Justice

Islamabad: (Thursday, February 09, 2012) The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry while hearing the petition against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on contempt of court case said the court may consider
the case to be closed if the government chooses to write the letter to Swiss Authorities.

The intra-court petition, filed by PM’s lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan, was heard by a larger bench comprised of eight judges headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry against the suo moto case for contempt of court on non-compliance of the
orders of the court.

Commenting on court’s resolve to address to the essence of the issue, Justice Tariq Pervez remarked, “Let’s suppose the Prime Minister gets convicted in the contempt of court case, even then the (NRO) verdict would have to be implemented.”

The bench also appeared to be critical on paras of petition which referred to SC judges’ deposition and their restoration by the government.

The Supreme Court remarked that the Prime Minister was trying to give an impression as if he could even influence the court. It was noted that such act will not bring shame for the court but for the Prime Minister.

Defending his client, the PM’s lawyers, Aitzaz said in the court that the PM should be given benefit of the doubt. He also mentioned that the PM was informed that the matter will stay closed before the Switzerland courts.

Aitzaz, continuing with his arguments, said that the president enjoyed international immunity, to which the Chief Justice prompted whether he was saying this on behalf of the President, to which, Aitzaz replied in negative.

On this occasion, the Chief Justice also referred to the President’s interview to a private television channel in which he said that the letter will not be written.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=12273

Posted by Fayyaz Yaseen on Feb 9 2012. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry