BAHAWALPUR:
If there was any doubt over whether the prime minister would finally cave and write a letter to Swiss authorities, as being demanded by the Supreme Court, it was put to rest on Thursday.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that he would rather go to jail than obey a court order to ask Switzerland to re-open graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
“If I write a letter it will be a violation of the Constitution, which is treason and which carries the death sentence,” the premier told PhD students at the Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) convocation.
“If I don’t write, I will be convicted for contempt, the punishment for which is six months’ imprisonment,” Prime Minister Gilani said, with a few in the audience shouting “do not write, do not write”.
“It’s better to face six months’ imprisonment than face the death sentence.”
For the first time, ostensibly to remove ambiguities and possible technicalities, the Supreme Court last week directly ordered the premier to write a letter to Swiss authorities asking them to reopen corruption cases against President Zardari by March 21.
There was a little showmanship by the premier too: He asked the crowd of students whether he should write the letter, to which the audience shouted: “No, no.”
“Ok, we will send your message to the court and tell them that they should charge Parliament with contempt of court because Parliament has given immunity to the president. All heads of state all over the world have this immunity,” he said, according to AFP.
Meanwhile, the prime minister reiterated the same stance while addressing another public gathering at a railway ground in Mailsi, Vehari district.
Writing a letter to Swiss courts against the president will make me the traitor, he said.
The premier added that he is not afraid of prisons as he had been “forcefully” jailed many times for “merely giving jobs to people”.
Bahawalpur province
At the convocation, the prime minister expressed his support for a province in south Punjab – but added that passing a bill for a Bahawalpur or Seraiki province in the Punjab Assembly was under the prevailing conditions not an easy task. However, he vowed to continue his fight for the cause.
He added that he would not favour the 1935 Act of the British government to make Bahawalpur an administrative unit.
Earlier, supporters of the Bahawalpur province staged a protest on the arrival of the prime minister in the city, against his supposed preference for a Seraiki province over Bahawalpur. Carrying black flags, the protesters even burned an effigy of the prime minister.
Meanwhile, in Mailsi, the prime minister spoke about the Seraiki province and said that those opposing it in Lahore must realise the grievances of the people.
Democracy
Speaking at the convocation, the prime minister said it was because of the Pakistan Peoples Party government’s friendly and sincere policies that it will be presenting the fifth budget, and, for the first time in history, a president will address a joint session of Parliament for a fifth consecutive time. He was of the view that assemblies should be given fair chance to complete their due period.
Convocation
The premier congratulated medalists and degree holders of the IUB and advised them to utilise their education for the betterment of the country and society.
He announced that IT centres would be set-up all over the country to provide opportunities and reduce unemployment.
The prime minister also announced a grant of Rs20 million for the Bio-Technology Centre in IUB.
(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AFP AND ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY OWAIS JAFRI IN MAILSI)
Published in The Express Tribune, March 16th, 2012.
COMMENTS (28)
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“He appealed to the court to refer the matter to Parliament, as was done in the case of the 18th Amendment, or let the citizens of the state decide.” This PCO SC judges have no regard to people’s verdict. They have not taken oath under 1973 constitution but Mush’s PCO after justifying his takeover. Why should they wait and let the people of the country decide? They have the “moral authority” over the voters and civilians of the country. The ignominious history of this court starts with Justice Munir to hanging ZAB and justifying each and every military takeover. When according to the SC even our head of the state can be tried then they can easily and happily prosecute the generals. Great news for US, India and other European countries and Bangladesh can try Pakistani head of the state in their lowest courts for any crimes including but not limited to protecting terrorists. Great tradition initiated by the PCO SC.
Only in Pakistan Ladies & Gentlemen!!!
Prime minister has made a very valid point.
And Please don't insult peons!
Chief Justice must honour the PMs desire and show him the door to prison for six months
The ultimate facepalm moment.
PM shame on you for speaking evil to the students; our future. Yup death penalty of your luxury and part in PPP. Zardari will through you out of PPP if you dare make the move just like Farooq Naik.
The Prime Minister is actually saying that the SC order is illegal. Even that is the case, then sack the judges.
He says: Do whatever you want to do Pakistan, We will not bring your MONEY back!!!
It does not appear to be a case of constitutional violation or even party loyalty but much more than that ie tons of money is the only consideration.
Good then go to jail soon & kindly hang him someone
Mr.Gilani is taking a very bold stand by refusing to obey illegal orders of the S.C.Anybody who has studied the Pakistan constitution knows very well that the order is illelegal and is repugnant to the constitution of Pakistan.Will somebody add to my knowledge and let me know if there is any law to punish somebody who forces other people to violate the constitution if there is one than the Honourable Judges of the S.C.should be booked under the same law.Today I feel ashamed that I took part in the demonstrations for the restoration of judiciary.A piece of advise for Mr.Aitzaz Ahsan DONT WASTE YOUR TIME theS.C. has already made up its mind to send the P.M. to jail
I am more worried about the PhD students who were positively receptive to this illogical speech.
Shame on you MR. Wanna Be Prime Minister, your loyalty should be to the people of Pakistan not to some greedy political party.
Hats off to PM. CJP and rest of SC is totally biased and hypocrites.
I would prefer to see this PM in jail than in PM House. His reign or rather that of Mr. Zardari, as Gilani is just a puppet, has been one of the worst for Pakistan since independence.
Sure, I rather see you in jail anyway.
This is clear contempt.And Clear defiance of courts clear order and decision.Very unfortunate.
He is asking for trouble and should get it.Contempt of court and disqualification if most likely outcome.
Bravo.
so we see your true colours. All this time you were just wasting the court's time.
And it certainly does not behoove the office of the Prime Minister to be openly defying the Supreme Court before a student convocation program.
PPP just wants to become political martyr again. "Oh look, they didn't let our government stay and made it fall by accusing us of contempt of court. Everyone is against PPP, vote for us!" will be their slogan as this definitely will cause the court to take serious action. Pathetic!
On the bright side, the PM is displaying firmness of character. In a country so bereft of leadership, we should take what we can get!
This was an address to students???? So ashamed to have him as our PM.