After conviction: Gilani challenges Sharif to bring no confidence motion
Speaking during the session held a day after the Supreme Court of Pakistan convicted him of contempt of court, Gilani said that he “does not have an ego problem” like members of PML-N.
The prime minister said that the opposition and PML-N should “respect the mandate of the people if they believe in democracy.”
Gilani also expressed disappointment over leader of the opposition, Chaudhry Nisar’s reaction. “Chaudhry Nisar spoke to me a day before the hearing of the verdict in the contempt case against me and wished me luck. Today, he says that he won’t let me enter the House. Am I not an elected prime minister of this country?”
The prime minister said that no one has ever accommodated the opposition as much as his government did. “For the first time in Pakistan, the opposition received funds,” he said. “We are not talking about millions, we are talking in terms of billions of rupees.”
He said that he did this only to strengthen democracy in the country and that he believed in working with all representatives of the Parliament.
Speaking on the Supreme Court’s conviction, he said, “Ever since the case started, did anyone in this House disagree to presidential immunity? No one did. During 1956, 1962 and 1973, when the dictators can enjoyed immunity, why not the elected heads of the state?”
He said that throughout the world, heads of the state including the president, the prime minister and the foreign minister enjoy immunity and questioned, “Have I made these laws?”
Gilani said that he was convicted merely for protecting the Constitution of the country and that if that is his crime, then he is happy of doing so. “Many media reports said that I looked happy after the verdict was announced … Yes I was happy, because I protected the Constitution of this country.”
The prime minister said that no one but the speaker of the House can “disqualify him and send him home.”
Gilani said that he respected the supremacy of the Parliament and that the decision of disqualifying him was upon the custodian of the House – Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza.
“If you disqualify me today, I will be honoured. It wouldn’t matter to me only because I was convicted to guard the Constitution.”
Addressing the speaker, he said, “Today it’s me, tomorrow, there might be someone else. But I don’t want a situation where I am ousted and people wind up the whole system including this House. There shouldn’t be a situation where I am disqualified and then they say that they haven’t made the voters list and then a technocrat government comes in place. Such a step will not be accepted.”
Gilani said that those who think that a reconciliation government is wrong then they can “continue doing so”.
Contempt verdict sent to NA speaker, ECP
Express News reported that the copy of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the contempt case against Gilani was sent to Dr Mirza and the Election Commission of Pakistan.
On Thursday, a seven-member bench, headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk had found Gilani guilty of contempt for disobeying the court’s orders to write a letter to Swiss authorities in order to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
According to the law, the speaker has to take a decision within 30 days on if the prime minister is disqualified from being a member of the assembly in light of the sentence awarded to him.
In case the speaker and chairman senate say that they will not take the decision in this regard, the case will be referred to the ECP.
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Mr. Nawaz Sharif now stop hypocrisy and present vote of no-confidence movement against the PM Gillani in the national assembly/parliament without any hesitation and wasting any time more and instead of using any other harmful/negative activities on the roads if you are really sincere and honest with Pakistan and Pakistani nation.
I would like to indicate the tribune readers that please note there are more than a few people supporting PPP even on ET comments despite the fact that the main PPP support base has never heard of ET. Unless you change your attitude I think we are going to keep voting PPP into power!
Jeay Bhutto!
No one is to blame but the Public, If we do not stand against this unjust system created by this lame democracy, nothing will change. Stop making statements and lets go and fight for our rights, throw this PM and President and the cabinet out... i suppose there would be at least 180 million people who could be directly effected. If only a small percentage of people could go to block the capital (Islamabad); for the sake of our future; we may be implementing change.
Death to this Government...
PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!
Shame on us for tolerating this. Shame on all the elected members of the parliament who still support Gilani the convict.
@Ignorant - He is not a controversial PM he is a convicted PM. The time to resign has passed. He is now ineligible for the office of the PM.
Perhaps we should free everyone from jail, why respect the rule of law. If I get sentenced to death for murder, can i still say so what - who cares about the courts. Will all the members of parliament still stand next to me and congratulate me. Will the people commenting here also support me for defying the orders of the court.
Why should PM resign? his conscience is clear, he knows he defended the constitution, and he is very much aware that judiciary is bias. Establishment always dont let democracy to flourish and it cut short the period of Benazir and Nawaz's govt in 90's and bhutto's in 70's and in early 50's.t when we were changing PMs in months Nehru said, Pakistan changes PM so frequently even I dont change my dhoties that frequently", Now this govt is moving towards the completion of its term and that itches, In Pakistan judiciary has never been freed from the claws of establishment recent judicial activism, interfering in executive matters, memogate scandal and media's Bias reporting, are interlinked, the focus is president Zardari and PPP govt their ulterior motive is to derail the democracy. corruption charges try to by the loyalties of important personalities of the party, They want gilani to become another Laghari, but he proved hard nut to crack.
Go to the people by announcing elections and see where you and your party stands. Its time to take people of pakistan into confidence, not your corrupt allies
Not only injustice is being done but they make sure it is seen to have been done. When a soldier cannot be ordered to do anything which is against the law and the constitution, how can a court, which is believed by vast majority within and outside the country to be biased against the incumbent government, order the sitting prime minister to act against very obvious principles of the supreme law of the land? Why the defense lawyer was not given a passionate hearing? Why the PM was punished for the crimes he was not charged with? Why was everyone so convinced that the judges were pre-disposed to the outcome of the trial they have now made public?
And for those who think a controversial PM should immediately resign because he has lost faith of the people, here is a news for them: your judiciary is also viewed by a vast majority of Pakistanis to be extremely controversial. It has repeatedly assumed the role of judge, jury and executioner in its own cause. And for those who are springing to their feet in jubilation over the fact that a sentence of 32 seconds can automatically disqualify Gillani, here is another news for them:
"The law lays down that any sentence of less than two years does not automatically disqualify a sitting member of the National Assembly, and therefore the PM."
The SC partial and incomprehensive decision is responsible for creating and expanding crisis in the country and among the Nation…………It seems either the SC is under pressure or no confident to provide true justice or implement the role of law.. After since long suspending the case….SC incomprehensive decision has been responsible for present crisis, creating conflicts and just putting responsibility on other shoulder. Its seems that the SC is confused, not empower, weak and having no confident to stand with constitution, safeguard the constitution and role of law. No more hope from SC or positive change....no rule of law. Delay Justice means Death of Justice....hence Justice has been dead now.
@Pungi: PML N doesnt have enough vote to bring no confidence motion. in case MQM and PML Q agree to bring no confidence motion than it will work but unfortunately they are with govt and our so called revolutionary leader Imran Khan shuts his eyes when it comes to MQM and PMLQ. PTI, MQM, PMLQ and PPP are travelling in samjhota express and playing nora khusti. Instead of criticizing PMLN, Imran Khan should criticize allies of this govt to end current govt but as i say Imran has got some hidden agenda of damaging PMLN.
The PPP is setting a dangerous precedent of defying the Supreme Court, calling into question the whole authority of the highest court, irrespective of the fact what its role has been in the past. The very idea of a working social contract of Pakistani society is at stake. A victory today in the name of democracy and that the parliament is supreme will come to nothing in the very near future. The PPP must sacrifice its prime minister - he is not indispensable. And it should control its workers. The PPP leadership is behaving more like a dictator (Musharraf) than a political party.
Democracy? - Is it democratic to continue to have a convicted (proven guilty) PM in office? or Is it democratic to through the convict out of the office?
If there has to be any "Democracy", which is devoid of much of its Mockery, Then we should have a system in which the candidates should contest directly for the highest office, instead of being elected indirectly by the elected members. This parliamentary democracy is a farce, as the so called mandate is based on bogus votes. A minimum percentage of votes should be defined for the candidates to be declared elected. And it should be Mandatory upon the 'Mandated' , to live within the means reflecting the health of this debt ridden economy.
ZAB was also called convicted murderer on the media. Where are dictator Zia and his cronies in the SC now? They are all maligned and dead in the history. In fact they are regarded as the worst people in the history of Paksitan. However, some never learn from the history and alway go for the short term benefits and egos.
what a shame, convicted and still not wiling to resign
Are we expecting this from PML(N) ?? Forget it...Both PPP & PML(N) will continue travelling through "Samjhota Express" regardless of the ethics & people's will...
PM will fight till the end :) He has earned the credits to write his name in the hall of fame, party shaheed list.
Check out my drawings at
http://fazoolstuff.blogspot.com/2012/04/mein-na-manoon-har-court-verdict.html
We are with you Prime Minister, Jeay Bhutto! Long live Pakistan!
@Gul Metlo: Allowign Musghaf to contest elcetion twice in uniform. Keeping quiet about Mush who incarcerated them with their children( this is not contempt) Letting Nawaz to go to saudi when he came back to country on the orders of SC.
Establishment has never deposed civilian Govt with out President and courts. As president is out of reach then SC is used and doing job well.
When was the money in htis particular case looted? 20 years ago. Could that wait one more year yes. With his contempt conviction is money coming back? he was convicted in the past and was in jail for 5 years for information of PPP haters I wish Zardari , YRG should have better houses than Raiwand and Imran Khan house worth of 1250 miliion rupees. how many cricketers have houses worth of that in Paksitan
Gilani you did right thing. you interpreted the law rightly and people of multan supported you yesterday and all poor people will support ypu and PPP in next elections.
@Logic Europe: Get a life ! neither we like PPP nor we pray for LONG LIVES of its members.
PS i am not a supporter of PTI. MQM, PML
PML(N) has not enough votes to bring motion of no confidence against PM. They are not stupid to try this futile exercise. In democracy, number of votes is the only criteria to win or lose. Only Imran can dream to become Prime Minister with one seat.
zardari has a great prime minister, who faced army,not surrendered like sharifs long live Gilani long live zardari the father of modern Pakistan
@Shiraz What PTI you are talking about??? the one who alwasy hide behinds PMLN!!!
It is expected from all of us to respect law. As per the constitution and law no one in the country is allowed to hold a govt position or a public position if they have been convicted. If the prime minister of the country is adamant to break this law. So what respect should we have for the legislators or the law "NONE" as I see it. Quite a few of these legislators have entered the assembly by telling lies that they are graduates, or have committed some type of crime. This assembly not only protects these crimnals but is also protecting a president who himself has been convicted overseas for laundering money. Now the prime minister is hiding behind the speaker, his own party speaker. And unfortunately our society being a tribal society will support the tribe rather than the law and order so the convict stays as prime minister welcome to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
This country is heading into total anarchy. And i blame our rulers (specially PPP) for this, when the rulers can’t respect the law then how do they expect normal citizens to do so? For God’s sake people, do anything you can to make sure that PTI wins the next election, its time that we put aside our petty differences and work together for a common goal, a better Pakistan for us and our children.
Supreme court went to the extent of convicting a democratically elected PM. In the past SC has killed judicially an elected PM ZA Bhutto, SC has also validated all the Military takeovers and justified the supra constitutional dictatorial acts. @Dr.X:
Constitution of Pakistan is supreme and yes I'm proud of PM Gillani for guarding that supreme document- Hail PM!!
Again I say: If there is a little shame and respect left, both the prime minister and the president should resign and go home.
Look who is talking.
One more landmark decision by SC. Earlier landmark decision are:
1) Justice Munir's decision to upheld the dissolution of Assembly.
2) ZA Bhutto jusicial murder.
3) Validations of all Military rules.
4) Validations of all LFO & PCOs
5) Upholding the dissolution of assemblies and govts. of Junejo, Benazir Bhutto (twice) Nawaz Sharif.
6) Dumping of Mehran Bank, Bhutto judicial murder case, 12 May and 9 April killing in Karachi and many more cases.
One day public will point figures against the judiciary and stand with a resolve to stop it being used against the democracy and providing justifications to dictatorial manifestations in Pakistan.
National Assembly was the right place to expose the Faces Of Darkness. I heard is speech and agree to what he said. A section of both print and electronic media along with disgruntled so called politicians are only spreading anarchy. One year is left for fresh elections so no need to derail democratic norms and forms. Let people decide whom they want to RUIN the country more technically. Yes, parliament is Supreme and all derives from it and not other way around as has been happening in the past.Let us wait for full judgment and stop jumping on our own conclusions of favors.
What a shameless person
A convicted man is our country's prime minister....... a new low for PPP
Punishment given to the PM is just a slap on the face of law. This proves that in the land of pure the influential get escort free after committing crimes.....
At least I am sick of the term manadate of the people. Only one quarter of population voting that too majority with bogus votes so which mandate these politician are always referring. My dear PM at least revoke your self respect and follow what the respected leaders of the world do. Just resign. You are fatal entity. Almighty, at any moment can take your life back. So why not to leave behind a legacy of respect. The fear of Mr Zardari, your follower will also be asked to write a letter to Swiss authorities should not bother you. How long this letter will be avoided. One day justice has to prevail. So plese be rantionale, take a bold step and just get a side for the sake of this country.
Mr Gillani has no moral authority to be PM after being convicted by the Supreme Court
Once a man loses his self respect, his dignity, his moral rectitude, it really does not matter to him as to what others think and his behaviour will reflect this.
One more thing: its absurd for Gillani to suggest that anyone including the Speaker or the Election Commission would judge a verdict of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court's interpretation of the constitution and the law is final and that cannot be mystified by any amount of comedy from the PPP.
Master piece of No Ethics...Pakistanio please vote him again back top power...if you wanna die without food and water...
Gillani is now only a convict and nothing else. He needs to understand that, just like entire urban Pakistan understands that. All this deliberate mystification of the issue by him and the PPP reflects contempt for the intelligence of the people of Pakistan.
This is a story of a governor of a Province. Mr X was appointed as a Governor of a province. The assignment came through the good offices of a long time friend who wanted to pay back the good, once done by his illustrious father. The man was really happy for dwelling in a palatial house where he could live himself & entertain his guests at exchequers money, enjoy power and comfort and do his personal works with ease. To him that was his job description. Gilani is no different.
'I was convicted guarding the constitution of the country'. But the people of Pakistan believe otherwise that you are guarding the ill-gotten wealth of the President and clinging to the chair even after the conviction by the highest court of the country.
Now Gillani has started laughing on the public. He is the most shameful PM any country can ever have.
ET please stop calling him Prime Minister. The more approriate word for him now is "Convicted Prime Minister"