The court ordered that it wanted to review the text of the letter, so that it can gauge if it is in accordance with the directives contained in paragraphs 177 and 178 of the NRO judgment. The judgement had asked the government to request mutual legal assistance from the Swiss authorities.
Law Minister Farooq H Naek had requested the court to give time till September 28. He informed the court that he wanted to outline a draft that is acceptable to both the federation and the court.
Ashraf had prayed to the court to provide him immunity from court appearances.
Heading a five-member bench, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa told PM Ashraf to bring a drafted letter to the court and said that he will not be disturbed after that.
The graft cases were shelved in 2007 after then attorney general Malik Qayum wrote letters to the Swiss authorities following the promulgation of the NRO. The Supreme Court, however, scrapped the NRO in 2009 and declared that all cases closed under the defunct law stood open.
Ashraf informed the court that he gave Law Minister Farooq H Naek the reference of the letter written by Qayum to the Swiss authorities asking for the graft cases to be closed, and added that the Swiss authorities can reopen it if they chose to.
The court directed the prime minister to provide a record of the letter written by Qayum.
Ashraf had reached the Supreme Court along with coalition members and proceeded towards courtroom number four.
He said that he “contemplated” a lot during the three-weeks time given to him by the Supreme Court. Ashraf said that the matter is not related to President Zardari, but his rank and that he hoped that the court will respect his post.
The prime minister had said that the court will have to keep in mind the current situation when making the decision.
Security had been beefed up in the capital, with around 100 police officials deployed at and around the Supreme Court.
COMMENTS (27)
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@MN: None of these countries are a World Class Nuclear Power, have a World Class Armed Forces, and is a Non-Nato Ally in the 21st Century...if that does'nt imply a world class standing in today's Global Village then what does?
finally. the belligerent SC have cooled down and have shown flexibility in this judgement but it is sad for the nation and the ppl who r waiting the judgement
All credit should go to Mr. Faisal Raza Abidi. It seems he has put the entire judiciary on a defensive.
This is most interesting President Zardari is distinct from his post. +++++++++++++++++++++++---------------------------------------------+++++++++++++++++++++++++ ” Ashraf said that the matter is not related to President Zardari, but his rank and that he hoped that the court will respect his post.”
@MN: And North Korea. ++++++++++++++++
@Parvez: I've been saying that for frikking months
Immediately issue verdict because delay of justice like as injustice
@SC..For God's sake.. Please adjourn this case for 6 months at least and look at the cases of under-privileged who are desperately waiting for the early disposal of their cases..
@Khalq e Khuda: Living 10 years in Jail on corruption charges and then becoming head of governement.(what else is required?) and moreover the courts threw his government in 1990's on corruption charges. I wonder how courts + elecition commission +agencies+ NAB allowed him to become president. This is even against pakistan's constitution.
@asim: Why compare with west as you are 1000 years away from them. compare with Rawanda, Baurma, Somalia, Ethiopia... surely that would make some sense.
Now the Law Minister will seek some excuses for not preparing the draft or he will draft such a letter that SC will reject. Request for some more time. The issue will drag on.
This is the clever thinking of Law Minister. Remember his part in not reinstating the judges?
@asim:
Pakistan is not being lead by a convict either since the President is yet to be convicted by any Court.
@Mirza: The Honorable PCO Judges are merely following the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and not the Magna Carta...as you will observe, in the not too distant a future in many cases that are currently subjudice...
A study should be made on this case pertaining to the cost to the nation. How much have been spent till now on hearing of this case,including the security to the prime minister,and the expenses incurred on attending the court,and the court's time in terms of salaries to the staff,and judges,and other related expenditure,and how much more will be spent till the case concludes. Such a study has never been done. It will be very interesting. The amount to be recovered is $60 million. If the case is not cost-effective,then it should not be prolonged,and should be closed. The study can form part of the curriculam of legal courses,and business management courses. How many manhours of the judiciary have been spent till now on this case,andall the related details.
The only respectful way out for PPP is to hold early elections. Time given to the governement is to follow the due procedure of law, nothing wrong in it. It is a high profile case. Kudos to SC !!!
Some time ago someone wrote that this was in fact a ' non issue '................how right.
@syed Imran
Oh poor you the govt has now submitted to the court ruling, all along it turned out it was govt that was needlessly dragging the case and SC was right. So you should take your anger on your beloved govt for making this non-issue an issue and wasting valuable time. The reason it wasn't done on YRG turn was because of serious cases against his own sons and serious graft charges, so PPP tried making him "shaheed". Once they (in thier own minds) succeeded in doing so they have promptly agreed with court :)
The Supreme Court now knows that they can not do anything about this case and are just wasting time,which can be better utilized for more serious business.
Only a day before PM's hearing before the court his wife went to support Hijab and JI. It was for the first time that it has happened in my memory. This close relationship with JI must have a good impression on the PCO judges who do like the fanatics. Looks like the deep state and SC would be happy with a weak and compliant PM not Gilani. Cannot believe it is the same SC or something new which is showing respect and flexibility!
Case adjourned indefinitely! Nice!