Raja Pervaiz Ashraf – who took over after Gilani was disqualified by the apex court for contempt of court – faces a similar fate for his refusal to write to the Swiss authorities to reopen a dormant graft case against President Asif Ali Zardari.
Speaking at a news conference on Sunday, the former premier reiterated the ruling party’s policy vis-à-vis the Swiss letter. The PPP contends that writing the Swiss letter against the president is unconstitutional.
“If the incumbent premier is also sent packing by the court, we will not accept such an unconstitutional decision,” he added. “I warn the judiciary to rectify its fault and review its judgment on the NRO implementation.”
He warned the judiciary of street protests if Premier Ashraf was disqualified.
“We will resist the move, and will take the matter to the people of Pakistan,” he added.
Referring to his disqualification, the former premier said that he had sacrificed his job to protect the Constitution and save democracy. “This time around, if the judiciary sacks Pervaiz Ashraf, the country will risk dismemberment,” he said in an ominous warning.
Appearance of Ashraf
Asked if Premier Ashraf should appear before the apex court on August 27 to reply to a contempt of the court notice, Gilani said, “Although it’s useless, but it’s Asharf’s prerogative to appear or not.”
The former premier recalled that he had appeared before the court out of respect – but the judiciary did not reciprocate his move.
Fair elections jeopardised
Gilani said the present judiciary has jeopardised the holding of free and fair elections. Next elections will be held as per schedule – but they are linked with the stability of the incumbent PPP government,” he added. “It’s a matter of three or four months, so the judiciary should have patience.”
Hitting out at opposition
In a diatribe against the opposition, Gilani said the track record of Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N chief, shows that he always came to power with the support of the ‘third force’.
Though Gilani did not explain what he meant by ‘third force’ – he appeared to be referring to the military establishment.
The former premier claimed that Nawaz wanted postponement of the next general elections.
“Sharif’s recent statement that his party would resist postponement of the election was in fact a message for the PPP that the PML-N wanted the vote to be delayed,” added Gilani.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2012.
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“We will resist the move, and will take the matter to the people of Pakistan,” he added.
If the PPP has the GUTS, declare the elections immediately and seek the verdict of the masses.
Dear X PM Gillani
Is this a warning from the Jiyala league. Last time the head Jiyala was denied PM-ship, the country was broken off so that there would be enough votes for him to become PM. Is this warning in the same manner
@Siddique Malik: Well it sounds very bias when you are talking about Judiciary not trying to let Govt perform. Have you been inside Pakistan to realize what is happening to common people? The answer is NO. What you see is the picture you get from our dear Media. So please get more facts and figures. I am not an advocate of Judiciary neither I like any of these political parties nor this corrupt electoral system; but I do know the fact that this Govt has completed its term so your and other people claim that judiciary is stopping the ways is complete rubbish. How is it stopping ways when no one is listening to it??? One PM sacked and we all know after how much effort. During all that judiciary didnt seized Govt functions? What have been the economic out turn in last 4 years, what about industries growth? what about foreign investment? what about new projects? What about long lasted dilemma of power shortage? Now dont count me obvious things which have no meaning in taking country out of darkness. The answer is that this Govt has failed and even next Govt will fail the same way. THE ONLY change that can come is by changing this corrupt political electoral system. This system protects them and they protect the system and that is how nothing has changed for last 60 years.
And this Gillani... I have got no words for him but I am humiliated in the world by how he has presented my dear country. How many examples should I quote where he had sound dumb than a grade 10 student of a school! Gentlemen lets not look at media to become wise, else you will just be moulded the way "they" want your minds to think. Use your own brain and see things around yourself to bring a change! Happy Independence Day and for a change, love your country and be proud of it!
A strong political movement against PCO judges by PPP will split Pakistan in north and south. Gilani is right. PPP has shown enough restraint. PPP will not be loser in the long run.
Gillani's this statement is showing and proving that now PPP is displaying its real face before the nation and as usual PPP's leaders are not seriously cerebrating about to accept the removal/termination of Raja Pervez Ashraf by the Supreme Court......
Mr you just worry about Ephedrine and your kids... Thats a bigger prob for u than Pak and its ppl
So Gilani's got big cahunas now that he's left office and doesn't have to directly face the wrath of the court.
Gillani's sleeping conscience has waken up now which was sleeping when he was PM and was not seeing any crises in Pakistan........
PM should not go to the court this time and government should impeach the immoral CJ and puppet pco judges .Judiciary has become a joke in Pakistan .
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: Dont forget result of NA 151 Multan where all PPP opponent formed an unofficial alliance against PPP and lost. This was the real survey and not the one u quoting and prepared in drawing rooms of PMLN worker and head Gallup Ejaz Shafi Gillani
Gilani is 100% correct in his advice to the PCO judges. The main fault of current coalition govt is not to fire all these politically motivated judges who have taken oaths twice under Mush's PCO. The current govt should have reinstated them and then promptly retired them. Take an example of Egypt. The elected leader today has fired "Field Marshal" who was defense minister and the army chief who were usurping the powers of the elected assembly. When would Pakistani politicians learn their lesson? No more extensions to any paid govt servant at all. As soon as the new govt is formed retire all those who have already retired but are taking up jobs from young and unemployed.
@Waqar: SC has become not just a political party, but a very bad one. Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
@Shah: True That buddy.
PCO judges must be disqualified for the duration of their life. Let that get done first before anything else.
Mr. Gillani! According to a retired professional executive and poet, there are three kinds of people in Pakistan vis,
some are "wise," some are "unwise," and some are "otherwise."
Please select where you fit in. Salams
its already divided...not seeing any hope... ex-PM your statement ignored.
Actually is talking sense !! Judiciary should not meddle out of its jurisdiction!!
You are right Mr Gilani, go ahead and take it to the people of Pakistan. Not through street agitation but by conducting fair and free elections.
How loyal of you Mr. X PM... But you got it wrong.. in fact it is the other way. If you guys keep on ruling the country then Pakistan is for sure at the brink of destruction and division. I ask all my Pakistani brothers to please have special prayers asking Almighty to give us just and wise rulers.
Mr. Ex PM, don't forget to study the lates polls about the popularity of PPP and Zardari, go to the people and they will tell you to leave and let some one competent and corruption free comes in, it is time now for some one new.
What is the big deal, the PM should obey the Supreme Court's orders and then Rental Raja will finish the term. Any one recalls that the US Supreme Court decided in favor of Georg Bush against Al Gore, it was some what questionable the way the Republicans managed the ballet in Florida. Al Gore accepted the decision like a man and let Bush be president. But in Pakistan if the decision does not favor some of these politicians then they attack the Supreme Court physically and verbally, when the Court question their abuse, they just apologies unconditionally. When the government fails to uphold the law, the citizens take the law in their own hands, women had been paraded naked and some men are lynched on flimsy charges, others are kidnapped and killed even by the State Institutions. What should the Supreme Court do and how much they could do for the nation when this rampant corruption and lawlessness is taken over the whole society.
gloves off , time to resist PCO judges and renegade judiciary Salute to great services rendered by ,r GILANI , a brave man with dignity and honour he has gained esteem and respect of all free people's of the world
I strongly oppose the views of Corrupt and puppet of Zardari. U destroyed the institutions of pakistan. U demoralised us. U protected each corrupt jiala.
Why are you still here Gilani . . . go . . . . We are not stopping you. . No one is stopping you. . Just go, for pity's sake go!
Mr. Gillani your lucky you got away with spending no time in prison. Just wait and watch how our judiciary makes an example out of Mr. Ashraf with sentencing him for at least few years hopefully inshallah.
I just googled the list of people who really care for you opinion and it said "No results found"
I agree with Mr. Gilani's assessment. The problem is that the judiciary-army axis will never let the parliament, which is the only body that is directly answerable to the people, establish a strong footing. Earlier, generals used to overthrow elected governments and seal the parliament, and justices used to validate this clear act of treason. Now the axis has found another way. The judiciary makes sure that no prime minister can do his/her job; generals don't even have to get their hands dirty; the justices are doing it all for the generals. The other side of the problem is that the politicians --whether in government or opposition -- are generally corrupt and coward at the same time. They don't have the guts to stand up to judiciary's dictatorship. Today's opposition that once sent goons to physically attack the SC has become its guardian angel, simply because the SC wants to torpedo the government. "Pity the nation," in which the opposition forgets that once it lets parliament's power be eroded, its cuts its own feet, too. The only way this rot will go away is if the people stand up for the rule of law and supremacy of the parliament.
Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
isn't he the one who appointed a matric-pass as the head of OGDCL?
i doubt his sanity and sincerirty with the country... his warning should be taken as joke!
Ominous warning: Gilani cautions judiciary against sacking PM Ashraf
A Real Red Warning . .????
Why would sacking of PM means breaking of country, it may be the case, if PPP wants it to happen.
No one in Pakistan trusts the CJ anymore. The law and the courts have become a joke. The judiciary has become a political party. :(