Former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. PHOTO: INP/ FILE
Speaking to the media in Multan, Gilani said that he gave up his prime ministerial position for the sake of the president’s immunity and now the section one of Article 248 of the Constitution gives him immunity.
“I’ll see how anyone arrests me... The NAB [National Accountability Bureau] chairman is himself summoned, how can he summon me?” Gilani questioned.
Commenting on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case, Gilani said that 4,008 people took advantage of the ordinance but none of them faced consequences. “The only people being punished in the case were those who were not related to the case... I don’t believe in this form of justice.”
Gilani was ordered to appear before the NAB joint investigation team in relation of the NICL scam. The former premier was accused of making the alleged illegal transfer of the investigation officer in the scandal.
Later during the day, Gilani’s lawyer appeared before the NAB investigation team and said that he would answer on behalf of the former premier since he has the power of attorney.
COMMENTS (41)
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@Muslim Leaguer: Please Mr Imran don't get carried away in blind loyalty. Indeed Sharif's have nothing to do with NICL that because they were not in power and the hen was not laying golden eggs for them. Don't forget all their assets stacked overseas , for what I know they have huge stakes stack in Middle East and Swiss Banks. Where did the money come from. If it is believed it is legitimately their's. What is it doing there when national exchequer is running out of steam. Please admit we are corrupt to the core past or present and Sharifs are no angels.
@ Ch Allahdad!
The collabrators are also to be punished with the main accused according to article 6. Now who was in the cabinet of MLA Zia ul Haq?
Mr Gilliani , this can't be true, if it is , it means Pakistan PM are uniquely privileged and are beyond reproach , they are free to commit corruption , embezzlement , misappropriations in office and the great arm of law that common people dread about cannot reach them. Any immunity of what ever kind and deamenour only covers the time in an office beyond that it has no effect. I think you are still experiencing transcendatal effects of that high office your fate had once put you in. I think its about the time you face up to the reality that you are now a common man in the eyes of the law. Your mentor too have began facing judicial recourse , you wouldn't be any more important than him
Mr Gilani may have immunty or may not have ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ He has to prove his stand in a court of Law.
And finally Gilani surrenders before NAB, joins investigations through his lawyer. What was the need to make drama during day time?
I don't blame Gilani for this statement. He's a product of a system where law only applies to common citizens.
@Rex Minor: Dear Rex Minor, do you think Gilani, ex PM and ex national assembly speaker has no knowledge of these laws ( particularly immunity- related ) and the constitution.If he is making any violations courts are there to deal with it.Are we not becoming harsh, self styled judges and ultra extremists in every affair?
@ Imran You need to rectify your record. What has Sharif got to do with it? NICL Corruption Case has been opened on the orders of the honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan. Real estate at various locations has been acquired by NICL at exorbitant prices with the involvement of Ayaz Niazi (Gilani's jail-mate), Abdul Qadir Gilani (Gilani's son), Makhdoom Amin Fahim (PPP Officebearer & formerly Commerce Minister), Mohsin Habib Warraich (son of Musharraf's Minister) and Moonis Elahi (son of PMLQ's Chaudhry Pervez Elahi). NICL Corruption Case bonded PMLQ with PPP Government. Let us see how Billions of Ruppees of looted wealth is going to be recovered!
@Jibran: The guy is not claiming immunity against proseution but aginst arrest. Are you not mixing up arrest with prosecution?
Rex Minor
There is no Court in the country to try the crimes of the Sharif family. The usual vendetta will continue to divert the attention of the public. If anyone dares go else where he will be fired under the excuse that his appointment was incorrect ab initio. At the same time lawyers like Sheikh Ikram will make billions in fees.
No citizen has the immunity from the law in a democracy. What sort of brought up and education these people receive to make such statements. It is usual that certain office holders enjoy immunity from investigations but this is subject to withdrawl by the parliament to allow investigations by the public prosecutor office.
Rex Minor
@Inam: Kid! Rhetoric and hatred aside, there is an immunity clause for the chief executives, and the judges. Just like a judge cannot be prosecuted for making a wrong decision unless a willful corroboration/bribery could be proven, a chief executive is not answerable in a court of law for an incorrect judgement call. Bottom line is Musharraf cannot be tried for Lal Masjid, and Gillani cannot be dragged for NICL. Popular or not, but this is true. Too bad, the judge who used to read blogs before making decisions is history now. The remaining judges should rely on the constitution not rants of the nameless creatures appearing on the internet.
"He should be handcuffed and paraded in a busy place for his arrogance." @masialu:
I agree, he should be handcuffed and paraded in a busy place including those who abrogated constitution and disrespected their Oaths.
nikki_2501: You should proud to be a citizen of Pakistan where no body can touch you and you are supposed to be above the law.
@Indira-2:
Yes we know your rule of law; its different for New Delhi and Jammu Kashmir.
All/any PPP executives are above the law n have natural immunity - ex-pm is right no one can touch them.
This man should know that he has to seek immunity from court, not take it for granted......
@Wali: nikki_2501:
You both are living in a state which has very weak structure and system,its marveling to know the daring words by the ex-PM of Pakistan that no body can arrest him, every body in Pakistan is very daring and can challange the writ...........so I invite you people visit us and see how our rule of law works?
nikki_2501@yahoo.com: You are welcome to your neghbouring state; India.Indian Politicians never dare to say like that and they never think to get any immunity. Its really shameful that people are above law in Pakistan
What??? Your mom told you that???
Test case for NAB to see its effectiveness in eliminating corrpuption in this country. Law must be equal for all citizens of the country. Former CJP must join NAB as its chairman.
Sir, when you infront of Allah.. what would you say on that day??? I was a Prime Minister of Pakistan i have immunity.. :)
Mr. Gilani you infact gave up your position to save corruption of your boss.
He just said he has immunity, no mentioning about being innocent in this case. Under the lines it means, I am involved but still no body has the ability to convict me.
LOL. Why does PPP thinks that they are sacred cows? There is no law under which he has immunity. He is just trying to arouse the self-victimization PPP mumbo-jumbo.
He should be handcuffed and paraded in a busy place for his arrogece .
Typical PML-N - will always go after people of other parties
Can you really blame this guy for uttering such an asinine statement? I mean this lot totally believes in this 'immunity'. And he will get it one way or the other.
So this guy is saying "I am culprit but since I have immunity, nobody can dare arrest me"
Mr Gillani, no more rhetorics please! Everybody is and must be equal infront of the law. It is time for you to repay what you have stolen in your tenure.
By taking that stand he is saying , Yes I am guilty but you can't catch me because you have not caught all the other crooks '.............this man deserves to be brought to justice and punished.
I agree man...give him immunity...give everyone immunity..stop wasting out time...No high level has every been charged or the money recovered so why this topi drama..Today its him, tomorrow it will be Sharifs, then the Khans..I have come to conclude that they all have vested interests. If not khan himself than the Qurashis and the Hashmis...they are all the same...
All beneficries from NRO must be dealt,it is a real test of Nawaz's office. Shameful deeds are done by Pakistani politicians in the name of IMMUNITY and Reconciliation.I am ashamed being citizen of this corrupt state.
The indispensable of our society! Unless we don't touch them, there can be no economic reform in this country!
He surely needs a lesson in supremacy of law and a bit of humility. He is just another citizen and must respect the laws of the land. His arrogance alone dictates that he must be forced to obey the orders as given by the competent authorities, if resisted than let's make a real example out of this stupid man for other stupid men in public life to learn from.
Someone needs to make him understand that the immunity was there until he was the PM. Following are some ex PMs of different countries who got investigated after leaving office who also once enjoyed immunity while they were in office:
Icelandic Prime Minister Geir Haarde Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas Georgia's Prime Minister, Ivane Merabishvili Italian ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia TymoshenkoImmunity while in office is not a license to loot & plunder. He is and should be answerable to every penny that he spent after all, he was not dishing out money from his own pocket.
How arrogant of this man...what is clear is that people who lack any genuine substance usually use arrogance to mask that fact...Gilani is a glaring example of that. He should receive a few slaps from the arresting officers for issuing such a statement...he needs to be brought back down to earth and reminded that he is a former public SERVANT
It is shocking to see this man's audacity.... He is not trying to defend himself or claiming to be innocent. Anywhere else in a civilised country the guy would have been treated what he absolutely deserves but not here.
So you can get away with murder ...if u are (or have been) a prime minister/president ???. Law should be same for everyone.