If the apex court’s orders to write the letter to Swiss authorities were a siege around the ruling party’s fort, the latter has announced, indirectly, that it is prepared to brave this out.
Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) senior leader, Senator Aitzaz Ahsan, said if the Supreme Court removes the incumbent prime minister, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, the party will accept the court’s decision, but also find a replacement.
Addressing a press conference at his residence on Tuesday, Aitzaz said there was no possibility of reaching any sort of compromise in the implementation of the National Reconciliation Ordinance verdict case.
Aitzaz did not chew his words. If the time comes, Prime Minister Ashraf will have to leave office, he said.
“There is no middle way if contempt proceedings against Prime Minister Ashraf are initiated … the Supreme Court is bound to remove the incumbent premier for contempt, as was done in the case of former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani,” Aitzaz said.
Since his arguments in the case of the former premier were not accepted by the apex court, Aitzaz said the situation will be the same in Prime Minister Ashraf’s case.
The extent of confrontation between the judiciary and the executive would be the removal of Prime Minister Ashraf, which the PPP-led coalition government is ready to accept, he said.
He added in the same breath, though, that the PPP would bring in a new prime minister, even if it meant electing and presenting a dozen more premiers till the end of current parliament’s tenure in March 2013.
“Till March 2013, the Supreme Court will be engaged in sending back premiers while the PPP-led coalition government is determined to elect more,” he said.
The government, he added, would never exercise any tactics which might harm the dignity of the court.
Ahsan said the Supreme Court could not dissolve parliament, nor can parliament oust the judiciary.
He said parliament could only be dissolved when its tenure ends or if the premier asks the president to dissolve it.
He said there was no possibility of the latter since, in his opinion, parliament had been performing its role commendably in the field of legislation.
Aitzaz said he did not think the judiciary is going beyond its limitations, but in the case of NRO implementation case, the judiciary is on the wrong track.
“Although the judiciary is not playing politics, some political elements are using this entire scenario for nefarious purposes,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2012.
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Babar Awan is far better
@Syed Shah: I second you on this
I'd love to see what people will do to them when this all ends,!!!!
Great, then in a short time, all PPP MNAs should be disqualified. Its a ridiculous statement from a shrewd operator like Aitzaz Ahsan. Perhaps he is eyeing the PM seat as well ?
@GhostRider: Are you trying to say the rest were any better ?
@Zain ul Abideen: I thought you are saying it for PCO-Judges.
its not funny anymore
My candidate is Ms Veena Malik +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ for obvious reasons.
Where are the champions of charter of democracy of PML-N enjoying the position of the leader of the opposition and demanded all the decisions with the consultation ofthe leader of the opposition as per COD why PML-N not presenting the bill in the National Assembly for the removal of the PCO Judges in the courts they are the champions of the creatin of COD only for enjoying the power and to create hurdles for government until the PCO judges in the judiciary there will be no smooth running of the affairs in the country
"PPP will keep replacing ousted premiers" But shall never write the letter to the Swiss authorities.Wow what the live example of obeying,respecting,honoring and following the Supreme Court's decisions by the PPP's officials!!!!!!! "Aitzaz said he did not think the judiciary is going beyond its limitations, but in the case of NRO implementation case, the judiciary is on the wrong track." Then who said few days ago that Supreme Court is going beyond its limits....... How masterly and cleverly Aitzaz Ahson changed his words!!!!!
Completely disappointed by the Statement Given by Mr.Ahsan. Where Stands the Judiciary and respect of Judicial orders???
This time bring in Mehreen Anwar Raja. This will be another Raja. Or, you can bring in Sharmila Faruqi Or u already have offer from Jamshed Dasti
If it was not for Nawaz Sharif, PPP would not be doing all this... Now Pakistanis face the music. Result of Vendetta Politics...
"Chalne do khala" PMs will keep changing till such time the tenure will be over. Mission accomplished. Now see the results of hate of vendetta politics. See what Nawaz Sharif has done. He was thinking so short sighted in thise early days. He could not see beyond the revenge against Musharraf although he forgets that he had brought the house on himself by treating the earlier COASs shabbily. This time army was not going to take it lying down. Musharraf was in air when the coup took place on the ground. He and media coolly forgets all that.
The President's and PPPs reputation is nothing to hide, then why did this man (Nawaz Sharif) if he had any high ground to tread on and if he loved Pakistan, not stop him?. Did he have any values or not or just expediency all the time. There comes a time and place with great people where the buck stops. For Nawaz "The buck never stops".
I blame our Nawaz Sharif fairly and squarely for this situation. He did not think for Pakistan but his own revenge and compromised for Zardari. Now the country is facing the music. He is enjoying in Rivind, Jeddah and London.
Jamshed Dasti's statement of becoming PM still gives me goosebumps... so i guess when Pakistan turns 66 we ll have an uneducated, illiterate dude as PM
Can you throw in a PM that has no criminal or corruption history while you're at it? Surely there must be at least one person like that in PPP, no?
Political moves needs to be countered by political ways. Passive resistance to unconstitutional moves will help PPP as they are getting more sympathies. Judges are losing because their bias is floating on the surface.
Yes all this to protect corruption of their president, what a noble cause, I am really disappointed with Mr Ahson.
Bring on a woman prime minister.
Devil's Advocate :)
At this rate the SC bench should set itself up at President House at the PM's oath taking and start asking candidates "letter or no letter?" right there. This would save everyone a lot of time and maybe the Court can then get back to serving the public.
PPP will keep replacing PMs and make sure constitution of Pakistan is NEVER practiced in true and letter and spirit. And will ensure judiciary receives hurdles every step of the way and accountability never flourishes. Democracy is the best revenge indeed.
Get ready for Jamshed Dasti lol