NRO Implementation: SC orders PM Gilani to write letter
08 March, 2012
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to write letter to Swiss authorities to reopen cases against President Asif Ali Zardari without seeking advice, our sources reported.
The SC in its verdict ordered the prime minister to inform the court on March 21 after writing letter. The proceedings of the contempt case to continue meanwhile, the order said.
on March 7, Gilani's counsel, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan was ordered by Justice Nasirul Mulk to submit appropriate evidence pertaining to the case, on which, the counsel submitted the summaries.
Yesterday, cabinet Secretary Nargis Sethi recorded her statement as defence witness in the Supreme Court (SC) in a contempt of court case against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
A seven-member SC bench, headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk, directed Sethi to again appear before the court today (Thursday) for cross-examination. Aitzaz Ahsan, counsel for the prime minister, submitted two summaries – dated May 21 and September 21, 2010 – of the Law Ministry as evidence in favour of his client.
The summaries contain an advice/consultation for the prime minister asking him not to write a letter to the Swiss authorities for reopening corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. Aitzaz asked Sethi how would she describe the prime minister while working as his principal secretary from December 15, 2008, to January 17, 2011.
Sethi said that although she had worked with several bosses, she found Gilani "very soft spoken, smiling, one who believes in reconciliation and has great respect for the judiciary".
Justice Asif Khosa asked Aitzaz whether he wanted to present a character certificate of his client by posing such questions. The lawyer put up over 30 questions before Sethi. The court showed reservations on most of the questions, as Justice Ijaz Chaudhry said, "You can't cross-examine your own witness."
"Does the PM genuinely show respect for the judiciary?" Justice Sarmad Osmany asked Aitzaz, while Justice Ijaz Chaudhry said that many SC orders had not been implemented yet. Aitzaz told reporters after the hearing that he wanted to prove that his client had not committed any contempt of court.
End.
|
