Speaker’s ruling: PPP to consult coalition parties before ‘final decision’

All authorities transferred to Zardari, session of PPP's parliamentary committee also summoned.

ISLAMABAD:
The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has announced that it will consult all coalition parties before taking any final decision regarding the Supreme Court verdict in the Speaker's ruling case. The decision was announced by PPP leaders during a press conference held after the Supreme Court disqualified Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday.

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.
Load Next Story