Supreme Court orders Prime Minister Gilani to write letter to Swiss authorities

The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani to write letter to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against his boss, President Asif Ali Zardari.

In its verdict, the apex court said that the premier should submit written reply by March 19 and he would have to be appeared before the court if he failed to put in the reply. According to the order, the proceedings of the contempt of court case will be continued meanwhile.

The court adjourned the hearing saying that if Gilani wants to submit a reply himself, he can appear before the bench personally.

Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq, as a prosecutor in the case, completed the cross-questioning of witness Defence-Cabinet Secretary Nargis Sethi on Thursday. She was questioned by Gilani’s counsel Aitzaz Ahsan.

Maulvi Anwarul Haq requested the court to summon Sethi again as a witness but the seven-member bench turned down the request, giving remarks that her statements were being recorded today in continuation with yesterday’s hearing.

Nargis Sethi, the secretary informed the court that Gilani received hundreds of documents every day, but whenever a summary is received, it is being sent to the premier.

Earlier, she has served as the principal secretary to the prime minister and is being considered the most appropriate witness in the case to prove the PM’s character in the specific case.

Justice Nasirul Mulk on Wednesday ordered Aitzaz Ahsan to submit appropriate evidence pertaining to the case, on which, the counsel submitted the summaries.

While speaking to the media, the counsel looked satisfied over the latest developments, saying that the Secretary has proved that the premier did not make contempt of court.

He also commented on the refusal of former law minister Babar Awan to appear before the bench as a witness, saying he should come to the court and clear things out.

He observed, “His signatures were there on the summaries. He should have come. His statements would have facilitated the prime minister”. He clarified that he was summoned as a witness not the lawyer.

The counsel expressed hope that he has proved the case well in favour of Prime Minister Gilani.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Mar 8 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.