LAHORE: Aitzaz Ahsan, the lawyer for the prime minister in the contempt case, has lashed out at critics calling for the disqualification of Yousaf Raza Gilani and said that only the National Assembly speaker could de-notify his client.
“The key to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s door is in the drawer of the speaker, as no court order or petition seeking Gilani’s disqualification can be honoured by any other institution except the speaker’s office,” Ahsan told journalists outside the Lahore High Court.
He stressed that the ECP was bound to act on the advice of the speaker, who too, has to build a solid case for the disqualification.
Ahsan said that his client has multiple options to appeal against his conviction. He added that he would choose the best course of action after consulting the premier. He did not say when the appeal would be filed.
Aitzaz Ahsan, a veteran lawyer and PPP senator, did not agree that the prime minister should resign on moral grounds. “The moral side of the question can best be answered by the premier himself, but I have reservations over the judgement, which in my view is unconstitutional.”
According to Article 10 of the Constitution, the same bench that charged the prime minister for contempt cannot also issue the verdict. It is a matter of jurisdiction, he said. “To me the Constitution is more sacrosanct than the issue of morality.”
However, he said that despite all his reservations, he had accepted the judgement.
About the president’s immunity, he reiterated that “the cases against him can be re-opened once the president leaves his office.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2012.
COMMENTS (10)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
I used to watch him a lot on tv and appreciate his efforts for judiciary independence but I didn't know he will be this much corrupt and greedy when it comes to him.
Morals, ethics, humanity, responsibility...These simply don't exist in PPP dictionary.
There is also a moral ground for Aitzaz that he should retire straightaway.
My dear Veteran Lawyer,
You have again gone wrong. In your statement, "However, despite all his reservations, he (the premier) had accepted the judgement", you have given out indirectly that your client does not intend to appeal, because judgement is always against a judgement which is not accepted.
All your degrees seem to be fake, as you are speaking irrelevant always.
He took on the usurpers when the current "protectors of institutions" are signing deals, and PCOs. He is taking on the usurpers now. Way to go AA!
Aitizaz Ahsan... true son of soil.
True. How can you expect morality from an highly "immoral" individual?
Thank you for showing us your real face!! Devil's advocate
Aitzaz himself does not have a moral; how can he suggest resignation to his client who is laying golden eggs for him.