Dual offices case: 'LHC cannot initiate contempt proceedings against Zardari till he is President'
President Zardari's counsel says Constitution provides immunity to Zardari.
A file photo of President Asif Ali Zardari. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
LAHORE:
“Remove Asif Ali Zardari from the presidential post, end the constitutional protection he has and then initiate any proceeding against him.” This was told to the Lahore High Court by the president’s counsel on Tuesday, Express News reported.
When a five-member bench of the court began hearing the dual offices case against President Zardari, his counsel, Waseem Sajjad, argued that contempt proceedings could not be initiated against the president in the presence of Article 248 (2) of the Constitution, which provided him presidential immunity.
Sajjad said that during the tenure of his presidency, if Zardari commits a serious crime then he can be removed from the post by the Parliament.
The petition was filed against President Zardari for continuing to hold the political office of co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
“Remove Asif Ali Zardari from the presidential post, end the constitutional protection he has and then initiate any proceeding against him.” This was told to the Lahore High Court by the president’s counsel on Tuesday, Express News reported.
When a five-member bench of the court began hearing the dual offices case against President Zardari, his counsel, Waseem Sajjad, argued that contempt proceedings could not be initiated against the president in the presence of Article 248 (2) of the Constitution, which provided him presidential immunity.
Sajjad said that during the tenure of his presidency, if Zardari commits a serious crime then he can be removed from the post by the Parliament.
The petition was filed against President Zardari for continuing to hold the political office of co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).