Not appealing against verdict wasn't a mistake, says Ahsan
The court did what it wanted to do, it would've made no difference, says Ahsan.
ISLAMABAD:
Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan has said that the decision to not file an appeal against the verdict in Yousaf Raza Gilani’s contempt of court case was not a mistake, as the court had done what it wanted to do, Express News reported on Wednesday.
Speaking on the premises of the Supreme Court, Ahsan said that he had the appeal document ready, but the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had decided not to file it.
He said that the document – consisting of 250 pages and 146 questions – was prepared by him, but the PPP had decided not to appeal against the verdict, fearing that Gilani would be disqualified.
“The court however decided what the PPP feared. The seven-member bench did not disqualify him, but the three-member bench did. It would have made no difference.”
He said that the three-member bench, in its April 26 verdict, had announced that a “question is likely to arise” on Gilani’s disqualification, however, it did not disqualify him.
“The bench said yesterday that I should have filed an appeal against the verdict,” said Ahsan. “They also said that they cannot amend their decision, I say you have amended it – you did what the seven-member bench did not do.”
Barrister Ahsan said that he had prayed several times before the court that it should not take a decision against individuals, as it leaves no room for an appeal. “If tomorrow, the court rules that I am no more a senator, then it leaves no room for me to appeal. Hence, suo motu notices are not taken in cases in which the respondent cannot appeal.”
He said that whoever will take the PM office will be issued a new order to write a letter to the Swiss authorities.
“My opinion has never changed. I have said this time and again that there is no harm in writing a letter to the Swiss authorities, but not writing is also not a crime.”
He said that until President Asif Ali Zardari is in power, a letter could not be written against him.
Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan has said that the decision to not file an appeal against the verdict in Yousaf Raza Gilani’s contempt of court case was not a mistake, as the court had done what it wanted to do, Express News reported on Wednesday.
Speaking on the premises of the Supreme Court, Ahsan said that he had the appeal document ready, but the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had decided not to file it.
He said that the document – consisting of 250 pages and 146 questions – was prepared by him, but the PPP had decided not to appeal against the verdict, fearing that Gilani would be disqualified.
“The court however decided what the PPP feared. The seven-member bench did not disqualify him, but the three-member bench did. It would have made no difference.”
He said that the three-member bench, in its April 26 verdict, had announced that a “question is likely to arise” on Gilani’s disqualification, however, it did not disqualify him.
“The bench said yesterday that I should have filed an appeal against the verdict,” said Ahsan. “They also said that they cannot amend their decision, I say you have amended it – you did what the seven-member bench did not do.”
Barrister Ahsan said that he had prayed several times before the court that it should not take a decision against individuals, as it leaves no room for an appeal. “If tomorrow, the court rules that I am no more a senator, then it leaves no room for me to appeal. Hence, suo motu notices are not taken in cases in which the respondent cannot appeal.”
He said that whoever will take the PM office will be issued a new order to write a letter to the Swiss authorities.
“My opinion has never changed. I have said this time and again that there is no harm in writing a letter to the Swiss authorities, but not writing is also not a crime.”
He said that until President Asif Ali Zardari is in power, a letter could not be written against him.