Gilani contempt case: SC to announce verdict tomorrow

Gilani contempt case: SC to announce verdict tomorrow

The seven member bench of the supreme court, formed to hear Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani’s contempt of court case, reserved its judgment and has summoned the premier tomorrow, Thursday, April 26, 2012 for announcing the verdict.

The seven-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk has been hearing the case since February earlier this year and after completing the hearing on Tuesday, ruled that the verdict will be announced tomorrow on Thursday, April  27.

Gilani has been accused of the contempt of court for not writing to letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen the corruption cases against the incumbent president, Asif Ali Zardari, as directed by the Supreme Court, back in 2009. Gilani has been claiming that the president holds immunity internationally and nobody can write a letter reopen cases against him as long as he is holding the office.

If convicted, Yusuf Raza Gilani might be handed a six month imprisonment, while dismissing his membership of parliament and hence his Prime Minister-ship.

However, Gilani’s counsel Aitzaz Ahsan, has reiterated that Gilani would continue as the Prime Minister of Pakistan even if he was convicted insisting that no parliamentarian could be disqualified on the basis of conviction in a contempt of court case.

Speaking to the media reporters outside the Supreme Court building, Aitzaz said that even if the Supreme Court clearly mentions in its judgment that the PM was disqualified holding his office, only speaker of the National Assembly will have the right to de-seat Gilani by sending a reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

“There are only three constitutional ways to remove the prime minister; one, he resigns – second, motion of no confidence against him succeeds – third, his basic membership as member of the National Assembly ends on account of article 63,” said Aitzaz, adding: “If first two options are not there then there is a procedure explained in the constitution to disqualify a member of the National Assembly.”

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Posted by Asma Rafique on Apr 25 2012. Filed under Pakistan. 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.