LAHORE: Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf defended President Asif Ali Zardari’s immunity on Satuday, saying it would end the day after he leaves office.
His comments came after the Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the new prime minister two weeks to indicate whether he would write a letter to the Swiss authorities, asking them to reopen corruption cases against the Zardari, the incumbent president.
The issue precipitated in the removal of Ashraf's predecessor, Yousaf Raza Gilani from office as prime minister on June 19 after the court convicted him for contempt in April, refusing to reopen the multi-million-dollar cases.
"He (Asif Ali Zardari) is the democratically elected President of Pakistan and as per law he enjoys the immunity as long as he holds the office," Ashraf told reporters in Lahore.
When the new prime minister was asked what the government's stance would be at the next Supreme Court hearing on July 12, Ashraf reiterated the presidential immunity.
"All the legal experts have given us the same opinion... So we will see the matter from the same angle," he said.
Analysts say the latest notice by the Supreme Court indicate the judiciary is unwilling to end a showdown with the government that could force elections before the stipulated dates for February 2013, when the administration would become the first in Pakistan to complete a full five-year mandate.
COMMENTS (33)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Care to specify who your legal experts are Ashraf? Zardari and Gilani?
Weird! The President seeks immunity in the the land of impunity.
Yes, indeed, the constitution does provide protection to a president, anyone, this one included. He has immunity from any prosecution / trials during his tenure, period. Those who have problems with this facts are welcome to elect those who would amend the constitution and change this provision of the law, until then let's just abide by law and stop this politics of vengence and vendettas in the name of law. This persecution must stop by everyone including those who claim a supreme legal position.
And the news is????
@mirza who give a ** about the constitutions i want my money back... ive seen you post your nonsense all over tribune defaming Imran khan.. you clearly seem to have enjoyed the benefits"of the current govt..
This time repeat of previous drama will not attract many audiance, therefore story should take new turn. The parliament should summon full bench of SC in house and charge them for abrogating constitution. It will be a great fun to watch.
Here we go! (say it in Mario's accent)
PPP will continue their passive resistance. Political actions needs political reaction.
How happy some peple feel about this unfortunate stae of affairs Govt is what it is but the judges have become the ultimate government and they arw very claverly mischievous and are abusing theur positon They were dragged beaten and humiliated by Musharaf but reinstated and repected by the democratoc government which thwy are trying to demolish No other political party will give them same lavrage in future Rhey are jusy lprasing a few fanatics and jealous people. Nobod will know rhem but Zardari will remain paet pf history and government
@RS: Constitution is very clear about presidential immunity that no new or old case can continue till president is in office. Ontop President has immunity outof country s well. Swiss case is not under the jurisdiction of SC and they cannot interfere in that case. NRO had no impact on cases out of Pakistan and these cases were opened and closed by SwissAuthorities. Issue here Isis not what law says but together Zardari by hook or by crook.
@Ali tanoli: Supereme court is final appellate body not an anti-corruption agency. If they are serious then their focus should be on ending corruption in courts system that is a place where corruption is a culture.
Realistically does the PM have any other option ?
It is clearly written in the constitution that the president has immunity and no case can be initiated or continued against him. ITS TRUE MIRZA SB., BUT THIS CASE WAS REGISTERED AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS A HUSBAND OF BB AT THAT TIM. NOT AGAINST PRESIDENCY. HOWEVER, IF (ITS A BIG IF) PARLIAMENT DECIDE OTHERWISE THEY CAN STRIP THE IMMUNITY-BUT OFF COURSE THIS PARLIAMENT WILL NOT DO THAT.
History will repeat itself once more.
SC is ultimate authority for interpreting the constitution. So all the legal "experts", who are a dime a dozen and change their legal opinion depending on who pays the most, have virtually no standing.
Mighty people treat if the law for them is nothing more than a joke.
This only happens in Pakistan where the mighty people are above the law.
Raja Pervez Ashraf very soon will become the second "Political Shaheed" Prime Minister of Pakistan after the former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
Mr. Zardari will leave the country for good before the term of his immunity will end.
It is amazing how shamelessly these corrupt people are defending their corrupt comrade and his corruption by using one excuse or the other. Shame on the parliamentarians who elected a convict of graft money laundering as the President of the country in the first place. One may ask them what if the President go rouge and openly collaborate with the enemies to disintegrate the state of Pakistan, will he still have the "Presidential Immunity"? If not, how they would then justify its non-applicability.
why start playing "tennis" with the apex court, you know you gonna lose!! take the stance and be the stance"hero". maybe your vote bank increases and you be elected for pm again........hahahahahahaha!!!!!
"All legal experts" hahaa, good joke
Don't forget who appointed him to the office !!! The wake up call is around the corner for these brethrens, as its obvious that no one really gets fired from these den, just simply moved to sidelines and new roles !
Deja-vu? I doubt the SC will let this drag out like the last time - hope he doesn't get life time perks like the last PM.
History will decide who was wrong
It looks that very few dreams you will have as a PM. Don't be protactor of kick back.
Is there any where in the world Govt officials write off bank loans ?????
SC should open all the crruption cases whether they are Army officers or feudal bearocracy then we gonna say now democracy is working....
From Raja Rental to Raja bye bye he will be disqualified very soon.He has to comply with the order of Supreme Court
I guess he knew he wouldn't be prime minister for very long. Let the games begin.