Speaking to a group of reporters at the State Guest House, the premier said that the contempt of court notice should have been issued to parliament instead of him, since it was the legislative house that had granted transactional immunity to the president.
In articulating this suggestion, Gilani’s own stance on the issue of writing a letter to the Swiss authorities stiffened. On Sunday the premier categorically refused to write a letter to Swiss authorities for opening graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari – in defiance of the Supreme Court’s instructions.
The premier added: “If we were to write the letter to Swiss courts, why would we delay it for so long?”
According to him, the issue of (presidential) immunity ought to be referred to parliament just as the matter of appointment of top judges had been referred to it.
Observing that presidents, prime ministers and governors have transactional immunity across the world, Gilani conveyed the sense of hurt and anguish he felt over being singled out. “Why am I being victimised in the contempt proceedings?” the prime minister asked, adding: “My function was to follow the constitution”.
The premier also said it was not acceptable for him that he had been asked to write a letter to the Swiss authorities with a directive to not take advice from anyone.
“There are two cases which you know of – one is the contempt case in which my lawyer, Aitzaz Ahsan, is contesting the case. And then there is another case (NRO), in which I have no lawyer, where the court without hearing me or my lawyer has asked that this letter be written,” he added.
Referring to the NRO case, he said: “There is no mention of my name in the case, no arguments have been held, no time has been given and no lawyer has even been heard. Despite all this, a ruling has been given that prime minister should write the letter. Even I don’t know who this case is really related to ... is this right?”
Missing persons
The premier downplayed the issue of missing persons, saying that while there were controversies over the total number of missing persons it had now been found, according to him, that there were only 49 who were still missing. He said that he had directed law enforcement agencies to cooperate with the Balochistan government.
“I have (told them) that decomposed bodies, mutilated bodies and missing persons in Balochistan are not acceptable,” he added. Asked about what would happen if such incidents were to occur even after such directives, he merely said the matter was sub judice.
Gilani said that he had asked the local Balochistan political leadership to suggest whether he should call a jirga meeting to address the issues of the province, saying: “I’m still waiting for their reply”.
DG ISI
Turning to less touchy topics, Prime Minister Gilani then spoke about the recent appointment of Lt General Zaheerul Islam. When asked about on what grounds he was chosen and what task he has been delegated in order to rebuild Pak-US ties, the premier’s answer was short but simple:
“Islam has been appointed on merit as it has been generally prescribed, and now it will have to be seen what he has to deliver in this regard.” At the same time, he said: “Islam’s appointment is a change and will be a fresh start”.
On other issues
Referring to general elections, Prime Minister Gilani said that after the government presents the budget, he will discuss an appropriate date for the elections with his allies.
“The president is going to address the fifth joint session of Parliament on March 17 and considering that I have completed my five years, it’s up to our friends to agree on whether elections should be held three months before the end of tenure or not,” he said.
The prime minister touched upon a number of other topics. He avoided discussing the Mehran Bank scam issue, especially with reference to the mention of the Sharifs in the scam. The premier said the court should decide the issue. He also said that decisions would be taken on the resumption of allowing Nato supply routes to function after joint session on March 17.
Referring to the issue of a province in South Punjab, he said that the only hurdle was Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, adding that a resolution in the Punjab Assembly for such a province was necessary and had not been passed yet.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2012.
COMMENTS (21)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1714370039-0/ojwilson-(1)1714370039-0-270x192.webp)
-(1)1714458896-0/ASP-(2)-(1)1714458896-0-270x192.webp)
-(1)1714463604-0/Untitled-design-(4)-(1)1714463604-0-270x192.webp)
In the first instance, Pakistan passed through a crisis, in regard to the restoration of judiciary, we as a citizen saw killing of innocent persons, insurgents took that as a golden chance because unrest was favorable for them.
Second time, restored institution's head invaded the NRO, and killed the pet snack of former president.
Beneficiaries, trapped in the legal ring including incumbent president due to which a new crisis was started.
Thereafter, suddenly Memofgate created, crisis on the crisis, still going on but lost its credibility.
And now, contempt of court against the prime minister with the legal question of immunity.
In such circumstances, where people should go,who are facing crisis after crisis, in shape of power crisis,industries being closed unemployment is spreading,starvation a head.
In case, the boat of nation drowned leaders would never escaped unhurt. they must care and set their direction.
Supreme Court seems to be lacking the requisite courage and will power to get their orders implemented otherwise instead of facing this unlimited insults they would have requisitioned the services of the powerful state institutions to reestablish the authority of the Highest Court of Pakistan . DISGUSTING.
Vienna,March 12,2012 Uncle Prime Minister is right.He is not the clerk of the Supreme Court to take the dictations there.The Supreme Court has out lived the history of judicial murder of 1979.Even madness follows a rule. Supreme Court should also have one. God´s order also comes Via Farista Gabriel, your honourless honour! Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
Yes,he would never, hope, more crisis, embattled prime minister aggressive judiciary, and president?he is enjoying immunity.
Parliment would be happy to take some bribery like recent senate elections and give decision whatever govt want.
@HoneyBee:
PM should only follow the constitution and should net set wrong precedent even if SC continues to set precedents that amount to subvert the constitution. For me and for every Pakistani, constitution is supreme, Parliament is sovereign, and SC is custodian of the Constitution. SC must limit itself to interpretation and should refrain from crossing it limits. This would be in the interest of every Pakistani.
This is the height of ridiculing the highest judiciary.
Contempt of court issue and presidential immunity and exemption now-a-days have been the most important core and burning issues than Pakistan's and its nation's core and burning issues like expensiveness,poverty,hunger and internal and external security.But one thing is confirmed there is nothing going to be happened in this case.This clash between the government and the judiciary is only the time and money wasting and diverting the attention from the most important other issues especially related to common/poor man and the present PPP's government shall complete its tenure,
I wonder why Conscience of the Pak Supreme Court decided to "Bite the Electric Cable" when there are so many soft cases lying around that actually help the masses and gain their trust in the judiciary at the same time?
I feel sorry for the nation for having such jerks as the president and prime minister. They call this democracy ?? Where only to protect a corrupt president, the prime minister stands as a shield against the people of Pakistan and against the Supreme court verdict for Zardari !! Who does he think hes fooling ?
I think even Musharraf was better than these jerks.. Atleast he resigned from the Army as CoAS on request of the people of Pakistan. He used to come on media and answer to all sorts of questions asked by the people and the media. I challenge the current So Called 'Democratic' PM and the president to come on talk shows and answer the questions the way the General did.. Im not a fan of the General, but comparing him to these jerks, he was far better !
Anyway, lets hope for PTI Khan to take over atleast hes not corrupt and is honest. Zardari if re-elected will definitely sell off the rest of Pakistan !
Such rubber stamp parliament does deserve contempt of nation notice for its callousness towards the miseries of common man.
Well done Mr. prime minister. Stay put!
Now the party is pitching the parliament against SC. This is democracy where you save one person at the cost of entire country. Democracy is the best revenge. Mr. Gilani please spare this country.
In every country including Pakistan the legislature is supreme and makes/changes laws. If the PCO SC judges do not understand the simple fact that the constitution gives immunity to the head of the state then the govt should get that reemphasized by the joint session of Parliament in simpler words. It is the legislature which should make the laws and the courts have to stick to those laws. The SC has never given a single verdict against an army officer in its entire history. However, it is hounding and pounding the elected govts and has hanged the first elected PM. They had a chance to clean their dubious history and image but looks like they are keeping up with their old traditions. .
No one else in the word is a prime minister so openly mocking the law of the land than in pakistan.
Mr. corrupt PM is forgetting his own statenent that he is executive of government, and is fully responsible for everything. Now, all of the sudden parliment is executive. Mr. corrupt P.M, and his corrupt boss must be reminded by th SC that noone, and no institute is above the constituion, and constitution is supereme. Everyone must follow the constitution, and only SC can interprete the constitution. I n my personal humble opinion P.M must be send in the jail, and disqualified. PPP´s politians real demo ceatic face is exposed by this government. PPP does not respect country´s law, constitution, SC, and even its voters. People of Pakistan must must through this government out of windows in the up coming elections. Thank you CJ for trying ro hold accountable these corrupt politician. We the people of Pakistan living abroad appreciate ur brave efforts.
How can the PM equate a contempt notice on his person to with a contempt notice to the parliament as a whole? Sad state of affairs when the intelligence of the PM is of this level.....
Mr. PM please use your power & remove the incompetent PCO CJ who has no respect for elected parliament and the constitution of Pakistan.
Feel sorry for the Supreme Court. It cannot even enforce a simple order, or even enforce a contempt order.