Speaker’s ruling: PPP to consult coalition parties before ‘final decision’
President Asif Ali Zardari had called a core committee meeting as soon as the Supreme Court verdict was announced. The meeting decided that the coalition parties will be consulted before any final decision is taken. The meeting was also attended by Gilani and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
All authorities were also transferred to Zardari, who is also the party’s co-chairman.
“The PPP reviewed the court’s order and decided that the high-level authorities of the party will meet the leaders of coalition parties, after which the agenda will be decided and announced,” said PPP General Secretary Jahangir Badar. He added that a session of the PPP's parliamentary committee has also been summoned.
“PPP is a coalition government and we want to take the coalition partners with us. We will do everything in the best interest of the country, of the parliament and of democracy,” added Badar.
The meeting with coalition partners will be held at 8pm on Tuesday.
Reservations with judgement
PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said that even though the party has reservations with the Supreme Court’s verdict, the party has decided to keep them aside and will consult experts on the issue.
He added that it was premature to comment on the verdict as only the short order has been released and the party is waiting for the detailed verdict.
‘Activists advised not to protest’
Kaira said that all PPP workers and activists have been specifically advised to remain calm and not hold protests.
He further alleged that the protests being held in Punjab against loadshedding are “Punjab government-sponsored”, during which people are being killed and public property is being damaged.
“Even in the most difficult of times, we have not let the country be harmed.”
Zardari cancels Russia trip
Kaira informed the media that President Zardari has cancelled his visit to Russia.
Zardari was due to pay a three-day official visit to Russia from June 20-22 to participate in the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
Earlier during the day, while the Supreme Court was hearing the petitions against the speaker's ruling, the president had called an emergency meeting of PPP leaders and Gilani to discuss several matters including the hearing of the case.
The party leadership had stated that it will continue to respect the judiciary no matter what the Supreme Court decides.
The Supreme Court disqualified Gilani from his post and held him ineligible since April 26 when the contempt of court verdict was passed against him.
COMMENTS (37)
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Changes of this kind mean nothing. One is reminded of Suharwardy's comment on a government change of his time in Pakistan: khar raft, gao amad! The real issue was NRO, which remains unresolved, Gilanior no GIlani.
What will happen to the appointments and decisions Gilani has made as Not being the Prime Minister, since April 2012?
Can those decisions, including Budget, be challenged in the courts?
I always thought that even a bad democracy is better than dictatorship..When PPP took over government, they said that democracy is the best revenge. That revenge came as no electricity.. Today's democratic government has brought the country to the point of no return. Instead of progress we are gone back ward.
time to pack it up PPP. elections should be called for later this year. someone get president musharraf on the phone. time to return home!
The tyranny of law is the worst form of tyranny....why does this court not take up the May 12 case...The Asghar khan case and the Bhutto murder case.....???
While the SC of Pakistan has always endorsed each and every dictator and his decisions against the civilians, the SC never failed to undo each and every election results. The current PCO justices are no exception. All they have done is continue with their traditions and give the ruling party a chance to go to the voters as a victim. The voters have always loved the victims of the SC and generals. By this decision the SC has shot itself on the foot. They did not see anything wrong with dual nationality and the PM for four years. In the last year of govt they suddenly woke up to make them a victim for the next elections.
I am not the fan of the selective justice of Supreme court of Pakistan however the government is asking for this by doing so many wrongs.
@Hairaan: It's about getting the fact right
Now, Gilani will be appointed "Adviser to the President" with all the authority of PM ;)
@Maz3tt, No, my friend, there is direct correlation here. Electricity problem is direct result of Gilani govt's incompetency, corruption and shameless arrogance. Nothing more nothing less.
Good decision but too late.
@major-ji: So your assumption proved true. PM has been disqualified. Let us hope Mr Zardari digests this bitter pill. After all there should be limit to scape goats.
Tell me, what is the sin of this nation. For God sake leave us. Every one want to show his supremasy, every one playing with the fate of nation.
Name 6 prime-ministers for a term of 2 months each for next 1 yr. Each of them will be subject to same drama by SC, starting with asking the PM to write a letter to Swiss authorities.
@KB: Excellent. ET should follow the SC instructions or get ready for........Contempt proceedings.
The verdict of apex court in favour of ineligibility of the Prime Minister Mr. Yousaf Raza Gillani will cause conflict amongst the civil institutions and is actually defeat for political forces and also is reflecting that courts are still playing a huge part against civil rule in the country in the same way as in the past. It also proves that there is still military role as giant political player in the country.
Revenge
You can call as many emergency sessions as you like, fact of the matter is,it's time to go now.
One Correction please, since this has just been composed, ""FORMER" Prime Minister"
SC I love you.
ET: Can you please use 'Former Prime Minister' instead 'Prime Minister'.
Time for Early ELections!
Gillani as Party Worker ?
Nice move by SC. Lovin' it
Wisdom says to accept the decision of Supreme Court and just choose new Prime Minister and give chance to some one for couple of months. Of course ch. shujat has experience of brief Prime Minister. Apparently, chances of Khurshed Shah because Amin Faheem will face similar position as his case is already on CJ's table.
Oh yea the kind of respect you have showed took my heart. I am overwhelmed indeed horrible President.
Evict Gilani from PM house.
How can a court being run by PCO judges decide the fate of an elected prime minister?
Apparantly looks like decision will be to disqualify the PM. However the million dollar question is if the decison will be acceptable to PP led government or not. Most probably some new tactics will come forward to pro long the tug of war between PP led government and Judiciary. So is the fate of this unique nation on this planet.
The circus continues!
haha .... they will surely accept it now... because public is already on road. PPP is not in position to challange anything otherwise they must not accept it as usual.
Nothing will happen,the scenrio will continue ?
Go GIllani Go. Let see what court verdict will out come and how PPP will show their negative ..
electricity is more severe issue then PM contempt case.