
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, along with a letter of commendation, gave a Rs100 cheque as fees to senator Aitzaz Ahsan for services as his lawyer.
The prime minister, in his letter said, “In representing me, senator Aitzaz Ahsan was in fact upholding and defending the principle of supremacy of the constitution which was no small matter, especially in the face of adverse propaganda by some political entities and relentless bias by a section of the media.”
Gilani further added that it was a tribute to the senator's character and wisdom that he stood firm in his arguments, within and outside the court room.
“Your services to the cause of constitutional rule will be remembered,” he said.
The prime minister recalled that they had been together in their struggle for democracy.
“We have been through adverse circumstances in pursuit of our principles," he said, adding, “Two of our great leaders laid down their lives in the struggle for democracy and I am sure that our sufferings will not go in vain.”
In his letter, Gilani also referred to Aitzaz Ahsan’s book titled Divided by Democracy in which he wrote that in the political history of Pakistan not once has the judiciary “invalidated the incumbent regime of a military adventurer”, hoping that someday this would prove to be untrue.
“At the end of the day, the people of Pakistan judge the performance of their government and this right of theirs, expressed through their elected representatives in the parliament, cannot be taken away – should not be allowed to be taken away – from them.”
COMMENTS (40)
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What about the SENATE seat??? Is that not his real fee?
Immunity is for actions as president not for crimes of earlier times. See the blog: http://thinker-thinkingoutofthebox.blogspot.com/
@ the Editors of ET
Why was my last line, critical of ET, not published? You should learn to take criticism. The readers will point-out errors, bias and poor-editorial judgements, this is Web 2.0!
dear all, This case was not about bad governance, the case was that whether the PM made a contempt of court or not. Aitezaz was respresenting his client on the contempt issue, he was not saying that the governance is good. He is a professional lawyer. He was fighting for his client on the charges of contempt only. For example, if a killer is trialed for a robbery case (which he didnt committ), how can the court assume that since he is a killer he must have made robbery as well.
People! do hate PPP for bad governance but this case was another issue and Aitezaz did what he think was right
Shame for Gilani ans Aitzaz. Both of them are looters. PPP government has failed in all respects. Shame for PPP government.
Aitazaz Ahsen is the next prime minister of the care taker government before general election. Gilani has his "ASHIRWAD" on him .... I am disappointed but thats the price i pay for voting for the wrong people (i voted for PML(N)) and they didnt do anything while all this was happening ... NO MORE I SAY ....
SAB SAY PEHLAY PAKISTAN ... PAKISTAN ZINDABAD ....
na i think 100 is an exaggerated worth of this guy's moral values
These people have no SHAME ! How do thay expect rest of the World to view them in positive light !!!!
Mr. Prime Ministe- a sincere advice for you. Next time you need a lawyer call me. Ill save you that 100 bucks. Just because you are PM of my country and I love to fight for democracy, Ill just take that senate seat.
Knowing how much Aitzaz's fee is, he is gonna be my lawyer if I ever need one for sure.
In Pakistan's judicial history not the majority but the minority decisions have been proved right and just. The case in point is Justice Munir and hanging of elected PM ZAB. Another case is the minority decision in M. Mai's case. In all these famous cases the majority decisions have been a bad name to the SC and the minority judgements historic. Similarly the history would decide the role and position of Dr. AA and Asma, not the PCO SC judges and their supporters.
As per the local lawyer truism, a successful lawyer is one who looses the case from the trial court uptill the highest forum but his client remains satisfied
Rs. 100! Publicity stint on their parts. Before jumping in politics, he used to charge tens of thousands of rupees as fee. I know it cos once he represented my relatives. Yes, he won the case but he charged tens of thousands for each appearance.
@Funkydaddy.. yes and i suppose India was always filled with educated people. Democracy is a process, just like education is,Patience however is a virtue not everyone possesses :P
you fools...democracy is for countries with educated people...not like in Pakistan where almost entire population has a slave mentality. The elite of this country will eat you and your generations to come alive !!!
@ Saeed stop relying so much on Geo/Jang as a source of information and maybe things will perk up for you.lolz. And i am not defending the government, i am defending the system of democracy. i will support the government, whichever party it is, against the Army any day. Because i respect the fact that they came to power because the people wanted to them to. Good or bad you have to give them a chance, don't vote for them in the next election if that's what you want, just don't look towards the establishment to act as your Messiah. and right now the judiciary is looking towards the establishment for their cues. That is my only point of contention with them.
@Biloo Bhaya, poorer petitioners who have more legitimate grievances?? can not provide him with a clout he has now being a Senate member. This is all because of a Senate seat and now look what has happened. AA has been side lined. Speaker's post(which AA was hoping for) and Leader of the House have been given to other people. He has served the purpose.
LPG distribution quota for his wife and a senate seat for himself made Aitzaz forget all principles.
@Mehreen...you fail to understand what.....you failed to understand that all the institutions in this country are ruined...PIA...Railway..steal mill..all the government corporation are spoiled to the level of bankruptcy..what democracy..the democracy in which you have NRO to protect all the corruption cases..and when it is rejected by the people and SC you are not opening the cases...is this democracy...ridiculing SC every day is democracy..protecting sons corruptions is democracy....PM's own media advisory in jail for democracy..Hujj corruption for democracy..NICL...OGDC appointment of 10 grade pass for democracy..8500 caroors of corruption in 4 years for democracy....saying Q league Qatil league of BB and when they have to protect there rule and corruption the same become brother league for democracy..not saying any thing to ANP and MQM for there barbarism in Karachi because they are coalition partners and will affect this government in center..for what DEMOCRACY...may god Bless you this democracy...we need Tsunami march..and wallaaahhh I will be the first one to enter President or PM house..
Well done A.A.. Your services will be remembered not only by Gilani and Zerdari but by the entire international community who wants stability in Pakistan at least for the time being .
@Loyal Sindhi. not for Rs 100 but for a "Senate Seat"
We remember Aitaza...ADAL BINA JAMHOOR NA HOGAA..but you forget your own words...
Aitizaz lost his credibility for Rs 100!!!!
What a joke??
Rs 100 is a token money for the information of the general public but a couple of millions have been deposited in the Swiss account of the Senator.
and how much money did he give him from the backdoor ?
At the end of the day everyone including the two players understands that it is not about legal positions but about blatent moral wrong doings.
1senate seat and 100 rupees? I think aitzaz is playing a very clever game here for the premiership. Why would one sell priceless respect for just pure cheapness. It is not that he is close to zardari that we hate him but the cause he stood for in gilani's matter. Already the 60 million dollars have been taken out and If letter not written now then 60 million would be spent in next 5 years! Plus pia, steel meel etc
Gilani & Aitzaz have turned out to be true living legends, respectively of stubborn shamelessness & political opportunism.
Abraham Lincoln said: "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time". He forgot to add "..except for in Pakistan"
Correction: Gillani awards him 100 rs. and senator seat for defending.
Why does he not take Rs100 from poorer petitioners who have more legitimate grievances?? AA is part of Pakistan Khappay. As a concessionare of LPG and other state monopolies AA is earning billions. This concept is responsible for becoming what Jinnah accused Mountbatten of giving him a moth-eaten Pakistan by the nature of the Partition. We now have a moth-eaten Pakistan.
Aitizaz looses his repect infront of me. Sold his emaan at a very low cost.. or may be he was like this, or me pressurised too much by the party...confusing thoughts
Aitzaz although a gentleman lost my respect after his flip flop stances. The payment of 100 is just symbolic; the senate ticket doesn't come just like that !
Shame on you Aitzaz... Shame on you....
This is a next episode of drama....
“Your services to the cause of constitutional rule will be remembered,” he said.
Yes it surely will be remembered... how badly you had your image effected by handling this case