PM contempt: Hearing adjourned till Tuesday
Bench observes it will announce a proper verdict in the NRO implementation case today.
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday adjourned the hearing of the contempt case against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani till Tuesday.
Earlier, the Supreme Court rejected the request of prime minister's counsel, Aitzaz Ahsan, to postpone the announcement of the verdict in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case.
The hearing was underway by a seven-member bench, headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk.
Aitzaz prayed before the bench today that the verdict should be announced after he is done presenting evidence in the contempt case against the premier.
The bench observed that it will announce a "proper verdict" in the NRO implementation case today. The bench also directed Aitzaz to continue his arguments without thinking that the verdict will influence the contempt case.
Aitzaz insisted again for a fair trial under Article 10-A of the Constitution.
He said that the bench hearing the case was a violation of Article 10-A and prayed that a new bench should be constituted to hear the case.
Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked where Aitzaz will appeal if another bench takes a decision against the premier.
As per Article 10-A, judges who initiated proceedings in suo motu cases are not eligible to sit in trial benches, he added.
During the last hearing, the prime minister’s counsel, while avoiding domestic immunity, had claimed international immunity for President Asif Ali Zardari “as long as he (Zardari) is the president”.
The apex court had also directed Aitzaz counsel to complete his evidence by Wednesday, April 18.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday adjourned the hearing of the contempt case against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani till Tuesday.
Earlier, the Supreme Court rejected the request of prime minister's counsel, Aitzaz Ahsan, to postpone the announcement of the verdict in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case.
The hearing was underway by a seven-member bench, headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk.
Aitzaz prayed before the bench today that the verdict should be announced after he is done presenting evidence in the contempt case against the premier.
The bench observed that it will announce a "proper verdict" in the NRO implementation case today. The bench also directed Aitzaz to continue his arguments without thinking that the verdict will influence the contempt case.
Aitzaz insisted again for a fair trial under Article 10-A of the Constitution.
He said that the bench hearing the case was a violation of Article 10-A and prayed that a new bench should be constituted to hear the case.
Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked where Aitzaz will appeal if another bench takes a decision against the premier.
As per Article 10-A, judges who initiated proceedings in suo motu cases are not eligible to sit in trial benches, he added.
During the last hearing, the prime minister’s counsel, while avoiding domestic immunity, had claimed international immunity for President Asif Ali Zardari “as long as he (Zardari) is the president”.
The apex court had also directed Aitzaz counsel to complete his evidence by Wednesday, April 18.