PM contempt: Arguments in next hearing will convince SC, says Aitzaz

Aitzaz says no need of asking premier to approach international magistrate when case being heard by Pakistani court.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani's counsel in the contempt case against him, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan said on Wednesday that in the next hearing of the case on March 19, his arguments will be able to convince the court Supreme Court.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Aitzaz said the Supreme Court issued orders to submit a compliance report after writing a letter to the Swiss authorities without the defence council having completed their arguments.

“We did not completely present our stance before the Supreme Court whether a letter should have been written or not, whether Prime Minister [Gilani] is in contempt of court, the Supreme Court issued another order,” said Aitzaz.

“I will present my arguments, supporting the international immunity enjoyed by the president or the premier in any civil or military lawsuit,” he said. “International immunity is a party of the Constitution of Pakistan and law.”

Aitzaz said that when the case was being heard by a Pakistani court, there was no need of asking the premier to approach an international magistrate. “When the Raymond Davis incident happened, the US authorities came and took him with them to present him in US courts, but here we send our prime minister to international magistrates, that too, investigative magistrates.”

He said that he might “even lose the case” but he expected that he will be able to convince the court on the point that the premier could not be held in contempt of court.