ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf’s arrival at the Supreme Court made up for the drama his statements might have lacked.
The premier’s white Land Cruiser rolled in amid extravagant security arrangements, 25 minutes before the hearing was scheduled to start. Two helicopters hovered over the sealed red zone while personnel from Rangers, police and other law enforcement agencies were deployed in heavy numbers around the apex court’s premises from 7 to 11 am.
There were walk-through gates to bolster security while the parking lot was also vacated for the purpose. Apart from media persons, only those with special passes were allowed to enter courtroom number 2.
The hour-long proceedings, however, were not too pungent.
Not only was Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf granted more time to present his stance on opening graft cases against the president, the Supreme Court also reiterated that he does not have to compose the Swiss letter personally and can authorise someone else to do so.
Throughout the hearing, Raja’s entourage was either busy taking notes or showing a thumbs-up to each other every time the premier argued he needed more time to implement the court’s orders.
Law Minister Farooq H Naik, who was sitting right next to the podium where Raja stood, was continuously assisting the premier in strengthening his argument to buy more time. Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar was busy taking notes, but left the courtroom well before the bench adjourned the case.
Attorney General Irfan Qadir was uncharacteristically quiet in the court, but broke the silence once he stepped out. “The premier has sent a strong message to the public and the world at large by appearing before the court, showing that he respects the judiciary,” Qadir told journalists outside the Supreme Court. “The judiciary should reciprocate the respect.”
Deputy Prime Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, who sat in the front row of the courtroom, also told the media later the premier’s appearance was a unanimous decision to show respect for the judiciary.
Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the prime minister had convinced the court of his interest in resolving the issue. He clarified that the premier has not requested the bench to withdraw its show-cause notice and has only sought more time to respond to it.
Kaira said the prime minister’s appearance negated all the allegations against Pakistan Peoples Party of not complying with court orders.
Senior leader of the ruling party Makhdoom Amin Fahim maintained that the prime minister cannot be disqualified this time because under Article 12 and 13 of the Constitution a person cannot be punished twice. A cautious Fahim was however quick to add his party respected the judiciary and the Constitution.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2012.
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