Supreme Court of Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan issued contempt of court notices to President Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Wednesday for not implementing the court’s verdict in the dual national case, reported Radio Pakistan.
According to the report, a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry will hear the case on Thursday.
Notices were also issued to Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ebrahim‚ chairman Senate‚ former interior minister Rehman Malik and the attorney general.
Last month, the Supreme Court had ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and courts across the country to ‘ruthlessly scrutinise’ all election contestants and also take action against former lawmakers with fake degrees and dual nationalities
The judiciary – which had given the landmark judgement that any person having dual nationality cannot become a member of the parliament – had also decided to look within its own institution for those possessing dual nationalities.
COMMENTS (24)
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62/63 is the only criteria for 2013 elections
Our judges need help.
The obsession of judiciary must cease, before they land the country in another trouble. In this instant case, it is for the parliament and not the Judiciary who should be moving forward on this matter. They may exonerate the dual nationals as they have exonerated the Judges through 17 Amendment.
Absurd Justice....The real culprits who allowed all the potentially disqualified candidates are the Returning officers and The Honorable judges of the Appellete Tribunals...if anyone deserved a Contempt notice, it is them....but of course they can not be wrong...blind justice...
Has anybody ever asked whether President Zardari is a dual national? I would be very surprised for him not to be the holder of either a UK or French passport.
I am surprised that the parliament did not pass a constitutional amendment in this case. Even though a two third majority is required, the question of dual nationality applies to all political parties.
How about disqualifying those who do not pay taxes ,from Zardari on down or misappropriate state funds ?
I am most surprised to see people who still support the likes of PPP, PML-N, MQM, ANP and other corrupt parties.
People for God’s sake please wake up. Remember if you vote for these corrupt parties who have been tried and tested so many times you are contributing towards destruction of the country.
For once, please use logic, not your ethnic background or your family ties to some particular party.
If there is no drastic government change this time around and the same PPP PML MQM people come into power again…THERE WONT BE ANY PAKISTAN IN THE FUTURE !!!
IF U VOTE FOR THESE PEOPLE DON'T BLAME THE COUNTRY FOR THE PROBLEMS IT WILL FACE BUT BLAME YOURSELF CAUSE YOU VOTED FOR THE FILTHY RICH AND CORRUPT..
@asim: What about idiots like you who ask such questions?
It is the law and has to be followed untill it is ammended.
If SC continues to work in the right direction I am very optimistic about Pakistan's future.
Well said Mr. AJ KHAN
Just disqualify the whole previous parliamentarians and senators who brought Pakistanis to such a miserable condition ruining the economy and law and order.
@Hu: Huhuhuhaha. Good point. I (whatever's my worth) second that!
The CJ iftikhar Chaudhry once said that there is independent judiciary and people respect it.Now the SC has issued contempt of court notices to the President,PM,Senate Chairman,CEC and Interior Minister which means that no one respect it. The judiciary derives its strength from fair and 'impartial judgements and not through the terror of 'Contempt of Court'.Whatever is happening in Pakistan on the judicial front seems to be unique and may be the only example of its kind in the history of Anglo- Saxon law in the world.
@RK: You missed out: What about those whose girlfriends are foreigners? What about those whose boyfriends are foreigners? What about those whose girl and boyfriends are aliens?? What about those who receive aid from foreigners??
Pakistan Khappay, Sind Khappay, Karachi Khappay. Jeah Bhutto, Jeah BB, Jeah Zardari, Jeah Bilawal, Jeah Whoever I have missed.
@asim What about those whose cousins are foreign nationals? What about those who are best-friends with foreigners? What about those who are very good friends with foreigners? What about those who are friends with foreigners? What about those who have touched foreigners? What about those who have seen foreigners? What about those who know what "foreigners" mean?
Is the state of pakistan just being run on "Rule of Contempt of Court".
Dear Supreme Court, For God sake please come out of the politics phobia and address the cases common man
SC Registrar is not well these days. Best wishes!
Just disqualify all the politicians who have stood in the previous eclections....
@asim: IK is divorced or did that escape you?
What happened to Asghar Khan Case, Mr. Honorable Chief Justice??
1) What about those who married foreigners like Imran khan ?
2) what about those whose children married in Royal famlies like Nawaz sharif?