NRO implementation: Writing the Swiss letter unconstitutional, says Kaira
A day after the Supreme Court gave the premier until July 25 to write the Swiss letter, the information minister said the government was not unwilling to comply with the apex court order – but doing so would be ‘unconstitutional’.
“I never said that the party’s stance is not to write the letter. I had said that the government would move according to what the federal cabinet decides on the issue,” Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told journalists outside the Parliament House on Friday.
The minister was explaining the government’s position a day after the apex court ordered Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to write to the Swiss authorities requesting them to reopen a dormant graft case against President Asif Ali Zardari.
Responding to a question, Kaira said he was misquoted by a section of the media on his statement regarding the contentious letter.
He asserted that his party respected all institutions of the country and would take all decisions in consultation with its allies and legal experts. He added that this stance should not be misconstrued as a conflict between the PPP and the judiciary.
“The government cannot accept any undemocratic behaviour in the country, and Parliament will guard the system,” he said. “The PPP has given many sacrifices for democracy and all the institutions will have to work together to strengthen it.”
Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour told the media that the incumbent set-up was ‘in hot water’ on the implementation of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case – especially on paragraphs 177 and 178 which relate to writing the letter – and “undoubtedly the country is facing dire consequences” in this regard.
“If the court forces the government to write the letter [again], keeping in view its previous stance, the consequence will be definitely losing another prime minister,” he feared.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2012.
COMMENTS (14)
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"The government cannot accept any undemocratic behaviour in the country,and Parliament will guard the system,” he said. “The PPP has given many sacrifices for democracy and all the institutions will have to work together to strengthen it.” Very well and impressive said Kaira but would you like to explain that what is democratic and constitutional and how many sacrifices you have given for democracy?????? The reality is this that till now the nation is giving sacrifices since 2008 and affording you by living from hand to mouth in the most miserable conditions you have created for the nation and are you working within your limitations honestly,sincerely and practically to strengthen the democratic system in Pakistan whereas in your regime corruption and mismanagement in the Pakistan's key departments including leadership and expensiveness have been reached on its peak within last 4.5 years..... If you don't want to write the letter to the Swiss authorities then please explain honestly,sincerely and truly that why Zardari took full advantage from Musharraf's created NRO?
@Mirza: Country's stability is being put at stake by one man's stubbornness and arrogance to go face his corruption charges.
@oh: Wrong. corruption is constitution.
If I recollect correctly (please correct me if I'm wrong) both Benazir Bhutto and Asif Zardari have been convicted by the Swiss Court but they appealed and then the NRO came in and Musharraf made a mess, which the Supreme Court is now trying to put right.
Teacher at law schools throughout the world teach that the interpretation of Constitution was prerogative of the Courts.
I guess the rules have been re-written during last 4 years in Pakistan.Damn...
@Mirza: How much brown--nosing can one Mirza do?
The highest court of the country has decided that it is constitutionally right to write the letter.So shut up Mr.Kaira and follow the orders.say all this what you are saying in the media in Supreme Court.In the court your government did not challenge the verdict against Gilani and now in the public you are trying to be Ph.D in Law & Constitution.Wait for another 6 months and we will show you the door at the ballot.
Bravo Mr kaira! Stand up to despots!
When Zardari is innocent and sinless in this regard and has been imprisoned innocently approximately 10 years then why don't you want to brake your this contrary of writing the letter to Swiss authorities and why are you disturbing the whole already,weak,feeble,insecure and unstable current Pakistani political situation nationwide on large scale and why are you confronting with the Supreme Court whereas you always have been giving this statement that you respect and honor Supreme Court and its decisions?????????? Please stop your this hypocritical attitude at least now..............
“The government cannot accept any undemocratic behaviour in the country, and Parliament will guard the system,” Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said. If so what the Government is going to do for the supposed to be unconstitutional judgement of SC in the relevant case.
When will these people learn? As was the case 2 months ago and indeed 2 years ago, only the SC can decide what is constitutional and what isn't.
Yes only corruption is as per the constitution
Perhaps corruption too is unconstitutional.
As the time goes by and the PCO SC judges become more and more loose cannons it is becoming increasingly clear that Gen Mush did the right thing to put them in their place where they belong. You fooled me once shame on you fooled me twice shame on me. The PCO judges have no regard for the electorate and their elected reps. They would do anything to prove who is the biggest Choudhry of them all even at the cost of country’s stability.