ISLAMABAD:
After the ouster of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani by the Supreme Court for defying its orders, a three-judge bench will resume its hearing of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case on June 27.
The court can exercise a number of options as previously declared, including a commission to execute its order by writing a letter to the Swiss authorities to open graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
Although the court has already decided Gilani’s fate, the disqualified premier will be the focus of Wednesday’s proceedings because of his alleged misuse of power by appointing a friend to the slot of the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) chairperson.
Besides the court’s six options, legal experts are also hinting at alternative ways to communicate with Swiss authorities. Khalid Anwar, a senior Supreme Court lawyer, told The Express Tribune that the court could ask the attorney general or its own registry to write a letter for the implementation of the order.
A senior lawyer said that during the trial of former prime minister Gilani, the seven-judge bench also hinted that it could also exercise all its options.
Meanwhile, an application has been filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday praying that contempt proceedings against the incumbent prime minister Raja Parvaiz Ashraf be initiated for giving a statement that he will not write a letter to the Swiss authorities. The court may also, according to its six options, refer the issue to Parliament to ensure court orders are implemented.
On the last hearing, the court was not happy with the investigation carried out by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the case. The bureau suggested strict action against the subordinate of the former prime minister but acquitted Gilani, saying that it was the task of the subordinate to block the summary of an incompetent officer.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2012.
COMMENTS (7)
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They are all are thieves and thug should immediately be executed by imputing their both the hands and feet. Supreme Court should not waste time. This will set example for next generation and will finish inbred corruption in their blood. This corrupt system of so called Democracy, in which power is being sold and purchased in the name of election / voting should immediately be completely finished. Council of specialised people of each field should be made to govern the country. This will ensure safety and security for all as well as speedy progress of the country. No other way out. Democracy is no system. Muslims ruled 2/3rd of the world without democracy. Chinese are today the fastest growing power without democracy.
@Lone Star: Pakistan is a poor country and its people cannot afford to lose $ 60 million lying in Swiss Banks. We must realize that the Supreme court was never interested in removing Ex PM Gilani and it is not interested in removing the Current PM Raja Rental. Supreme Court is only interested in retrieving the looted money of people of Pakistan. In the event of non implementation of Supreme Court verdict if Raja Sahib of Rental Power Plants loses his job, it will not be a big deal.
@Ashraf P:
Arsalan case is now with the Attorney General. It is now for the Government to complete the investigation as soon as possible and send the case to trial court, if any of the two parties is found guilty. CJ has nothing to do with the case now.
Do not derail the country from a democratic path. To me it seems a case of overly assertive judicial system being engineered against an individual without caring for an office he holds. If it continues likes this the biggest casualty shall be the country.
these corrupt politicians plan to work for BETTERMENT of country ? What about fancy speech PM gave ? everyting is a lie.
Enough of this judicial activism. It has taking the nation to the precipice. Let us first get to the bottom of the Arsalan Ifthikar case before we take on other things.
This so-called apex court gone mad. What sort of judges we have in this country, where they are openly biased against one party?