Alerts
 
< >

Dual offices case: LHC gives Zardari 'one more chance'

Published: June 27, 2012

Court says president's non-compliance will lead to contempt of court proceedings. PHOTO: REUTERS

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has given President Asif Ali Zardari “one more chance” to comply with the court’s order, adding that the court will begin contempt proceedings if this was not done, Express News reported on Wednesday.

On May 12, last year, a full bench of the LHC had ruled that Asif Zardari could not continue as co-chairman of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) while sitting in the Presidency.

The bench had asked him to either step down as co-chairman of the PPP or stop using the presidency for politicking.

During the hearing of the dual offices case in the LHC, the court said that it was the president’s duty to implement the order of the full bench which he had violated earlier.

The court had earlier issued a notice to Zardari for holding two offices in violation of its earlier order.

 

on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook

Reader Comments (46)

  • Logic Europe
    Jun 27, 2012 - 11:53AM

    here we go again
    every court feels it is being insulted ,

    Recommend

  • Not me
    Jun 27, 2012 - 12:07PM

    “One more chance ” till when??

    Recommend

  • T Khan
    Jun 27, 2012 - 12:10PM

    Yawn!! This is getting boring now my lords. Please start hearing the real cases now.

    Recommend

  • Shaheer Malik
    Jun 27, 2012 - 12:10PM

    What a court decision. Is honourable court will give another chance to the poor. This is a country where law for the poor and the rich is different.

    Recommend

  • Imran Con
    Jun 27, 2012 - 12:17PM

    Not to say he shouldn’t comply in theory but, they need to give contempt charges a rest. They’re making it sound like it’s a free pass to win an argument by threats rather than substance. It really isn’t created for that. It’s supposed to be a measure to keep court rooms from getting out of hand.
    At the very least space it out a little. It’s not like they can’t. If there’s one thing the courts excel at, it’s delaying things.

    Recommend

  • Billoo Bhaya
    Jun 27, 2012 - 12:20PM

    SC should get this bugger finally.

    Recommend

  • Waqar
    Jun 27, 2012 - 12:25PM

    On May 12, last year

    Why court is so merciful for PPP?

    Recommend

  • Nand
    Jun 27, 2012 - 12:38PM

    Looks like more than one will be getting a helipad before the next elections.

    Recommend

  • A J Khan
    Jun 27, 2012 - 12:40PM

    These courts will not let the government function. President is the domain of the Federation and not a province. In any case Lahore High Court has the history of hanging Sindhi Prime Minister.

    Recommend

  • shahid
    Jun 27, 2012 - 12:45PM

    i wonder if Zardari have his face changed with plastic surgery. Will it make him acceptable with courts?Recommend

  • Ali
    Jun 27, 2012 - 12:57PM

    What a Judiciary we have!!! Contempt ! Contempt ! Contempt !…..Is Judicial restraint anything to go by???

    Recommend

  • Tabish Bilgrami
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:02PM

    PPP Target killing by courts :D

    Recommend

  • A J Khan
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:05PM

    This is what others feel about Pakistan. I do not view it differently.
    “Pakistan in crisis: Current politicians, judges, journalists have driven Pakistan’s democracy to despair”.

    Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistan-political-crisis-iftikhar-chaudhary-zardari-gilani-sacked/1/201914.html

    Recommend

  • M A Z I
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:12PM

    One More Chance? Why we can’t see this privilege for a common citizen of Pakistan? Law should be same for all.

    Recommend

  • Prometheus
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:15PM

    Now can someone tell me how this is of any national interest? The inability, inefficiency and corruption of the present regimes across the board including Punjab is beyond doubt, but the Courts are uselessly entertaining such pleas and i dont know at who’s behest? If the plan is to totally dismmantle the entire applecart and then do it in one go and create a complete chaos and an out of control situation in the country which then nobody shall be able to control. Media and judiciary have brought this country to almost point of no return for the sake of their respective “Rating”! Rumours such as Nawaz Sharif funding all this are beginning to make sense somehow!

    Recommend

  • H.Raza
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:18PM

    I was with the court’s decision to Oust the ex-PM of Pakistan, but while the 1973 Constitution is still intact contempt petition against the President is not maintainable under Art 248 which clearly says that no criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against the preseident. This case should have been dismissed in liminie. What is the Court up to now by evading provisions of the Constitution.

    Recommend

  • Azad khayal
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:29PM

    Looks like some on has played a role to cool down brother Judges

    Recommend

  • Monkey of Pakistan (Common Man)
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:33PM

    @ Every One,

    Why Zardari is not leaving one office as per law. Why he is being protected. For God Sake if we are Pakistani’s then this does not mean that we do what is not done in African Jungles.

    Recommend

  • Umar
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:34PM

    @Logic Europe:
    The question is not who is insulted. The question is whether one could be a president of state and co-chairman of party! President of Pakistan’s role should be above the party. PM is there to represent the party. So, do not blame the court as they are doing their work.

    Recommend

  • Green Knight
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:36PM

    atleast judiciary is finally deciding to take this devil behind all pawns head on!

    Recommend

  • A J Khan
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:41PM

    Courts have started working outside the constitution. Does the constitution stops the president not to be part of a Party or the President/Chairman. This is nothing but teasing the opponent.

    Recommend

  • Ajamal
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:43PM

    He was selected by the people’s representatives and hence above the law.

    Recommend

  • Manzoor Ahmed Khan
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:48PM

    Shahbaz Sharif has been holding dual party and govt offices as well and Nawaz sharif frequently chairs meetings of provinical secrateries and is given briefings without being elected….who will take sou motu notice of these violations…..Shameful bias in judiciary….

    Recommend

  • ishrat salim
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:49PM

    Law is law…come on you guys….give a break from obsession of judiciary..it is the constitution which says that the President can hold only one office…is this article / clause in the constitution made by the judiciary ?Recommend

  • Shaheer Malik
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:52PM

    @shahid:
    You means on nation’s expenses.

    Recommend

  • KnoWhat
    Jun 27, 2012 - 1:57PM

    Why Nawaz & Imran can't wait till election? Why they think they cannot win without breaking PPP's leg? Why they have to keep stopping the government and the Judiciary to handle cases that Matters Most to People. I mean what does it matter who is Running the Show? To the Public You All Are Same. We had good days and bad only because of foreign Political Events outside of Pakistan, like foreign sponsored & locally supported terrorism, international invasions, world oil & market economic changes. We only make rallies, court battles, cut down trees, ignore poor people delay flood planning and sleep on such warnings.

    How can a government run its affairs when the oppositions open a Pandora Box of legal circus as soon as a party start to work. You know and we know that any person with money and a “mike” can pull a law suit against anyone in Pakistan. All you leaders are corrupt to us so why just sit back and wait for your turn for new era of corruption and favoritism.

    Recommend

  • Polpot
    Jun 27, 2012 - 2:03PM

    Dont worry, I know that Mr Zardari has written a secret will giving away the Presidency to Bilawal..
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Like what Benazir Bhutto had left in favor of Mr Zardari.

    Recommend

  • Jun 27, 2012 - 2:18PM

    High Court at its Lowest.

    Recommend

  • Jun 27, 2012 - 2:19PM

    @H.Raza:
    Don’t worry, My friend. They will innovate.

    Recommend

  • Jun 27, 2012 - 2:20PM

    @A J Khan:

    Dear Sir, you are perhaps one of few seeing this Government “functioning”, and delivering.

    Recommend

  • Jun 27, 2012 - 2:22PM

    The President shall have to go to Supreme court and if the SC upholds the decision of LHC President Zardari will take the decision after consulting the legal fraternity. Appears to be political drama of rival parties which will continue in future also on so many other issues.PPP has no other option but to fight it through democratic process..

    Recommend

  • Das
    Jun 27, 2012 - 2:27PM

    @ Waqar,

    But the PPP is claiming that the courts are revengeful!

    Recommend

  • A. Khan
    Jun 27, 2012 - 2:37PM

    Pakistan constitution states that criminal proceedings many not be instituted against the President. However, the oath of office for PM and President states that they will obey and uphold all laws of Pakistan and Islamic laws.It does not give them a carte blanch to ignore or flout the laws. Right now, this jackal is heading into town, if you catch my drift.

    Recommend

  • Gulkhaiz
    Jun 27, 2012 - 3:53PM

    The first act of Mohamed Morsi as a president elect of Egypt was to resign his membership of the Brotherhood (his mother party), and have his vice presidents from other groups including Egypt Coptic Christians. All these moves are vital if a government of national unity is to be created. On the contrary no Pakistani leader has ever taken a practical step like Morsi to strengthen national cohesion
    It is an irony that our President Zardari is facing the law for holding dual offices and openly giving priority to party politics over laws and constitution, thus violating the sanctity of the office of the president( which is a symbol national unity above party politics). Unfortunately his psyche is permanently stuck in Nauedero and cannot come out of the mausoleum of Bhuttos. He is a majawar par excellence. He knows that if he leaves the co-chairman ship of PPP he will be a nonentity.

    Recommend

  • Jibran
    Jun 27, 2012 - 3:58PM

    @Beatle:
    High Court at its Lowest.

    For some other court it would be a new low. However, for LHC given its traditions, I would say its just a new middle.

    Recommend

  • hopeless
    Jun 27, 2012 - 4:04PM

    so even after 4 yrs you are giving him another chance. Great court.

    Recommend

  • Its (still) Econonmy Stupid
    Jun 27, 2012 - 4:14PM

    Breaking News: Year 2020: former Musharaf was awarded the highest national award for getting rid of judiciary during his tenure. Millions of people came out to cheer the former President.People believe that he was ahead of his time in recognizing the ills of judiciary. At the time of his decision people ridiculed him but over time people realized how visionary he was. People are handing out sweets and congratulating each other. Today judiciary for some odd reason decided not to turn the lights on of all the Courts. Now back to other routine news.

    Recommend

  • xoya
    Jun 27, 2012 - 4:51PM

    There is just no more hope left for this Country
    why wait ? why ask ? just throw this govt out .we have had ENUFFFFFFF

    Recommend

  • Jun 27, 2012 - 5:02PM

    @Its (still) Econonmy Stupid:
    Our rulers of today, without judiciary, will be seen displaying a jungle dance.

    Recommend

  • Zulfiqar Baig
    Jun 27, 2012 - 7:25PM

    Go ahead court and convict him. Rule of Law should be adhered to all even he is President.

    Recommend

  • Das
    Jun 27, 2012 - 9:38PM

    This case is to go nowhere.If someone really wants an end to this matter of dual offices, a writ should be filed in any HC praying the court to instruct the Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to relieve his father of co-chairmanship. If he does not respect the court order, then further action should be initiated against him.Recommend

  • KnoWhat
    Jun 28, 2012 - 12:09AM

    @Zulfiqar Baig:
    I cherish the youths who are so pure of thought, sadly because of lack of day-time experience in the hot sun like the hard working, pay-less, jail facing fully committed public & political workers. To such youths there is nothing wrong with having a uniform or black-coat commander at the steering wheel instead of a people’s choice. Possibly such youths already hate local Citizens in general anyway. I was like you once friend, but now I am older & wiser.

    Recommend

  • Khalq e Khuda
    Jun 28, 2012 - 1:35PM

    This is outrightly illegal!

    The Court should read its own judgement where it never ordered the President but advised him that in view of the spirit of the Constitution it is more advisable to do so!

    How can a suggestion by the Court invoke Contempt proceedings?!

    Recommend

  • Shahbaz Azmi
    Jun 30, 2012 - 8:23AM

    The CJ is acting as a loose bull in a china shop. I only wait for his dismissal or till he retires from his post. Only then he will realize that only a few of those who trail behind him are there. One only has to read what is being written in the international press to find the truth about him. After all, he did keep his eyes closed when his son was making all the money. I hope for sake of Pakistan better sense gets into him.

    Recommend

  • Jun 30, 2012 - 4:45PM

    @Shahbaz Azmi:
    That’s it. But sir, you have not realized (perhaps purposely) that the subject is with LHC – I mean LAHORE HIGH COURT; not with CJ or Supreme Court. . Recommend

  • Ahmed
    Jul 6, 2012 - 2:02PM

    The Blog administrator does not publish fair opinion.I think he is of the opinion that he is not answerable to any one and he will not die.He does not differentiate b/w HALAL AND HARAM ,fair and unfair .So I think it is just wastage of time.

    Recommend

More in Punjab