PM contempt: Ahsan presents UN report supporting presidential immunity
Ahsan says he will try to complete his arguments on Article 10-A of the Constitution, today.
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court of Pakistan resumed the contempt case hearing against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday.
The premier’s counsel, Aitzaz Ahsan presented the United Nations’ report titled "Preliminary report on immunity of State officials from foreign criminal jurisdiction" to support his argument on presidential immunity.
Ahsan said that he will try to complete his arguments on Article 10-A of the Constitution by today.
Speaking before a seven-member bench headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk, Ahsan cited international laws of presidential immunity. He cited one incident when Belgium had issued arrest warrants for Congo’s foreign minister and the government of Congo had refused to present him before the Belgian magistrate.
Ahsan said that not only the president, but the foreign minister also enjoyed immunity.
Justice Asif Saeed Khosa observed that once an international magistrate had summoned the Sudanese president and issued arrest warrants for him.
In his defense, Ahsan said that this was an exception and in cases of war crimes, presidents can be summoned by international courts.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan resumed the contempt case hearing against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday.
The premier’s counsel, Aitzaz Ahsan presented the United Nations’ report titled "Preliminary report on immunity of State officials from foreign criminal jurisdiction" to support his argument on presidential immunity.
Ahsan said that he will try to complete his arguments on Article 10-A of the Constitution by today.
Speaking before a seven-member bench headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk, Ahsan cited international laws of presidential immunity. He cited one incident when Belgium had issued arrest warrants for Congo’s foreign minister and the government of Congo had refused to present him before the Belgian magistrate.
Ahsan said that not only the president, but the foreign minister also enjoyed immunity.
Justice Asif Saeed Khosa observed that once an international magistrate had summoned the Sudanese president and issued arrest warrants for him.
In his defense, Ahsan said that this was an exception and in cases of war crimes, presidents can be summoned by international courts.