LAHORE:
The Lahore High Court on Tuesday admitted for regular hearing a petition which requests that the court restrain the prime minister from approving the federal budget after his conviction by the Supreme Court.
Justice Umar Ata Bandial observed that the issues raised by the petitioner were of “grave importance” and that the case should be heard by a larger bench. He then forwarded the case to the LHC Chief Justice with a request to constitute a larger bench.
Advocate AK Dogar submitted, on behalf of Advocate Shahensha Shamil Paracha, that since April 26, Yousaf Raza Gilani had ceased to be the prime minister.
Justice Bandial pointed out that the prime minister had the right to file an appeal against his conviction.
The PM had already made it clear that neither he nor his successor would write a letter to the Swiss authorities asking them to reopen the cases against President Zardari, replied the counsel, adding that there was no likelihood of him getting any relief from the Supreme Court in the appeal.
Dogar then said that Gilani should be asked to “explain” official visits, both domestic and international, after his conviction. He said that all the expenses, which Gilani had incurred after his conviction, should be recovered from his personal account.
After hearing the arguments, Justice Bandial issued notices to the prime minister and the Attorney General of Pakistan. The court also asked the attorney general to assist it in the case.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2012.
COMMENTS (12)
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Only in Pakistan the political cases start with the SC to deprive basic right of appeal to a higher court. Then a funnier thing happens. The lower courts in Punjab take up the application and appeal about the SC decisions! Why is this ping pong, and the PCO court cannot write a clear decision? Why SC's decisions are again discussed in lower courts?
Has the ""convict"" exhausted all of his rights to appeal and review, NA Speaker decided on this and forwarded to EC. And the dis-qualification been finally determined.
By admitting such petetions, the higher courts are confirming the bias and discrimation doubts towards PPP.
A convicted Prime Minster , A convicted President , A disposed Chief Judge , A convicted & Exiled Opposition , Convicted Ministers .. Hatts Off For Pak !!
"Dogar then said that Gilani should be asked to “explain” official visits, both domestic and international, after his conviction." Considering the nature of those visits, they were probably planned significantly in advance and he is still officially the PM whether people like it or not. People debating the legality of his position is not something that changes anything in regard to him tending to whatever responsibilities a PM has. It's once the debate is over, if he really has been disqualified that people can question his actions. Not before. You have your courts to blame. They could have easily skipped over the media-friendly poems and simply gave a straight answer.
PCO judges acting on behalf of military establishment........
Looks like PML N and Judges' show still going on...
Lawyers like AK Dogar are only successful if they have got likeminded judiciary. And this time he has ...
Another great drama in the making
@Kini:
Stop your whining about the elected government completing it's term, it's an old mantra and you can only use it so many times. Learn to respect your courts. A convict cannot be a PM. Besides, elections are part of a democractic process. Nothing un-democractic about following SC orders.
ZAB was a much bigger convict according to SC and they hanged him. Look who is still ruling the country? This PCO SC has lost its credibility by being a party with rightwing elements and going against the elected govt officials to topple it and refrain it from performing anything for the electorate. How many times the judges with generals would deprive PPP of its right to rule after winning the elections?
Musharraf was the best and will remain the best leader of Pakistan upto date. CJ is the real problem !!
AK Dogar has in the past helped whitewash the greatest crimes committed by dictators. He was one of those lawyers who helped justify Musharraf's actions. He is a man of little credibility and of complete disdain for the Pakistani people's right to choose their own leaders. If men like him now influence whether an elected government completes its tenure or not, then we are a nation truly doomed.