Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf gets time till September 18

The Supreme Court has granted time to Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf till September 18 in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case.

On appearing before the Supreme Court in the contempt case, the premier sought at least four to six weeks to consult his legal team to resolve the issue.

A five-judge bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said that the apex court could grant more time only if an encouraging commitment is provided.

The premier observed, “I am only a political worker not a lawyer, I need to understand the case in order to resolve it. I don’t want to stretch out the case and I merely want to find a good solution for it. I promise to find a realistic solution to solve the case”.

He was of the opinion that the issue should be resolved in a way which does not harm the sanctity of the judiciary.

Raja Pervez Ashraf has requested the court to retract the show-cause notice issued against him. He was of the opinion that he needs time to consult a legal expert with reference to the show-cause notice issued to him on August 8.

Upon which, the bench asked the prime minister to name someone who will be tasked with writing the letter to Swiss authorities.

Justice Khosa has told the premier that he is free to conduct his official business if he would just commit to implementing the court’s orders. This case isn’t that big an issue and it could be resolved within a day, he added.

He also asked the prime minister to instruct his ministers and governors to stop giving contemptuous statements about the court. He observed, “If no commitment is given, the law will find its own solution”.

To this the premier said, “I would have appeared before the court even if you had just phoned me to do so”. He told the court that he appeared as ordered by the apex court, just as former premier Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani had done before him.

The judge has told PM Ashraf that appearing before the court is not respect rather implementing the court’s order is respect for the judiciary. He said that it is a misconception that he must write the letter to Swiss authorities.

Justice Khosa said that the premier was not here as a defendant, and has assured him that the judiciary respects his office.

The hearing into the NRO implementation case has been adjourned till September 18 and PM Ashraf was directed to personally appear on next hearing.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Aug 27 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, 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.