NRO implementation case: With PM set to appear in court, allies meet today

PPP remains tight-lipped about behind-the-scene meetings.

ISLAMABAD:

The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is still not forthcoming about its decision on whether or not Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will appear before the Supreme Court tomorrow (Monday).

However, according to the Daily Express, it has been decided that the premier will, in fact, show up.

Sources are quoted to have said that the decision was made by the top leaders of the PPP and President Asif Ali Zardari has called a meeting of leaders of allied parties today (Sunday), where this decision will be discussed. The sources are also said to have revealed that, in case of an ‘adverse’ decision by the court against the premier in the National Reconciliation Ordinance judgment implementation case, the government would move to challenge the order – with the PPP’s legal experts saying the previous decision to not challenge former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani’s disqualification had caused a lot of legal problems for the government.

Allies stance

Ahead of Sunday’s meeting, the overt stance of the allies has thus far been clear. Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) led by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain opposes the premier’s absence in the court proceedings. Talking to The Express Tribune, PML-Q spokesperson Senator Kamil Ali Agha said: “It is our principle stance that the Prime Minister should appear before the court.”

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) also seemingly supports the idea, albeit in vague terms. “It is our stance from day one… Courts should be respected and confrontation should be avoided,” was MQM parliamentary leader Haider Abbas Rizvi’s response.

Awami National Party (ANP), however, says it will support any decision PPP takes. “Asfandyar Wali and Afrasiab Khattak will represent ANP in tomorrow’s meeting at the Presidency. We will support PPP regardless of what they decide,” said ANP leader Zahid Khan. ANP leaders have been critical of the SC, alleging it has been infringing upon executive affairs unnecessarily.

PPP’s radio silence

Reports also suggested that the PPP was deliberating over whether the government should write a ‘mild letter’ to Swiss authorities. Exercising caution, the PPP has remained tight-lipped about the decisions taken during a flurry of behind-the-scenes meetings on the matter over the last few days, which continued on Saturday. Key party leaders have abstained from talking to the media, dropping only vague hints on the issue.

The only comment that came late Saturday evening was from Moazzam Khan Jatoi, a PPP leader from South Punjab and minister of state for food security, who was quoted by a TV channel as actually claiming that PM Ashraf will not appear before the apex court on Monday.

PPP divided?

Sources in the ruling party confirmed that there is a clear division among the PPP leaders on the issue, since most of the party’s legal experts believe writing a ‘mild’ letter or at least initiating a process towards it could diffuse the situation for time being.

However, the party’s political gurus are still against this option, claiming it would have a politically adverse bearing on its affairs.

PPP leaders including former premier Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Punjab Governor Latif Khosa, Attorney General Irfan Qadir and incumbent premier Raja Pervez Ashraf himself are against his personal appearance before the court, party insiders claim.

Saturday’s meetings

Law Minister Farooq H Naik, who spearheads PPP’s current legal team, held a long meeting with PM Ashraf on Saturday and discussed legal points related to the case.

Naik already had briefed the party’s core committee when it met Friday night. Sources privy to the meeting said it mostly discussed the pros and cons of the option given by the SC to find some middle path on the Swiss letter issue.

“Beyond the issue of the premier’s appearance before court, the meetings revolved around SC’s offer to seek some middle path. We have to take into account both legal and political ramifications,” a PPP leader said. He said if the PM did appear in proceeding though, he would be backed with ‘solid legal points’ to avoid being charged with contempt.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2012.