Lowering tension: Doomsayers frustrated says Kaira

ISLAMABAD: The government’s stance before the apex court in the NRO case has frustrated the doomsayers who were predicting a confrontation between state institutions, according to the information minister.

Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court, Qamar Zaman Kaira said the court has also observed that some elements wanted a clash between the judiciary and the executive – but all their aspirations have dashed. From the very first day, the government had the resolve to respect the institutions and to avoid a clash among pillars of state as “we defend our case inside the court not outside”, he said.

“We have worked out a way to proceed in the court on this matter. The issue will be solved and ultimately uncertainty will end. We are heading forward to the satisfaction of the court,” Kaira said. Responding to a question, he said former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani had obeyed the Constitution. “We have taken the decision keeping in view the current scenario,” he said when asked about the change in the government’s stance. The minister said Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf appeared before the Supreme Court on its directives to keep his promise of making sincere and constructive efforts to resolve the issue.

During the course of hearing, the premier instructed the law minister to take constructive steps to implement para 178 of the NRO verdict, he said. “The PM has authorised the law minister to draft a letter that would be produced before the court through the ministry that would follow further communication on the draft.”

He said the prime minister also apprised the court that hearing the federation’s concern was also the responsibility of the court.  “We will apprise the court of the issues and concerns of the federation that should be taken into account during the case hearing,” he said. He hoped the court would also take care of the immunity entitled to the President of Pakistan. “I appeal to the media to act responsibly by removing misunderstandings of any clash between the PPP and the court as it will prove counter-productive for the PPP in its electioneering.”

He urged political parties to start preparations for the next election as nothing can be achieved by playing up the dead issues.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2012.