Breaking news: PM Gilani to be indicted on Feb 13 in contempt case

[pkd]

ISLAMABAD: The seven-member larger bench of the Supreme Court (SC) hearing Prime Minister Gilani's contempt case has ordered that the prime minister has committed contempt and summoned him on February 13,

The SC issued the order after defence counsel barrister Aitzaz Ahsan concluded his arguments.

The Supreme Court will indict PM Gilani when he appears before the court on February 13.

Defence Counsel barrister Aitzaz Ahsan has completed his arguments. He contended that the prime minister acted on the advice of ministry in accordance with rules of business.

Speaking to the media outside the apex court, Ahsan said that the government could file an appeal in the case.

The bench comprising Justice Nasirul Mulk, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmani, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Athar Saeed is hearing the show cause notice served upon the Prime Minister in National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation issue.

 

[fatman17]

so what happens next? file an appeal? delay the date of appeal until next elections - meanwhile the 'loot-mar' continues.

 

[Zarvan]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Supreme Court said on Thursday it intended to indict Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for contempt on February 13 over his refusal to pursue corruption cases against the president.

Judge Nasir-ul-Mulk told the Supreme Court there were grounds to proceed against Gilani, despite the government's insistence that President Asif Ali Zardari has immunity from prosecution while he is head of state.

"After the preliminary hearing, we are satisfied that prima facie there is a case for further proceeding into the matter.

"Adjourned for February 13, for framing charges. Prime minister is required to remain present in the court," Mulk said, reading out the order in English.

Gilani's lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan said it was possible to appeal.

"He (Gilani) has been asked to be present in person on February 13 when he will be indicted," he said.

"There is a possibility for an appeal in this matter. It is up to the court whether to suspend this order or not. This will be decided after getting a copy of the order," Ahsan added.

Pakistan's embattled prime minister went before the Supreme Court on January 19, to explain his refusal to ask Switzerland to re-open graft cases against Zardari on the grounds that the head of state has immunity.

He defended himself against contempt charges and refused to back down in a case that could see him disqualified from office if convicted.

It is only the second time that Pakistan's highest court has pursued contempt proceedings against a sitting prime minister, plunging the weak government deeper into a crisis that could force early elections within months.

The prime minister could face six months in prison and be disqualified from holding office if convicted.

 

[Al Bhatti]

The prime minister could face six months in prison and be disqualified from holding office if convicted.

If it is a prison that normal citizens are thrown into then it will be fine otherwise no need for the drama of sending him to a prison (with 5 star facilities).

As for the disqualification, he will get clean sheet just as others who were proved to be holding fake degrees and later they were made heroes by their party.

 

[Awesome]

Topi drama... Appeal, appeal will be shot down, case will open, case will go on 1 day before elections they will say okay you're in contempt.

The judgments are seeming more and more like they are not judging the PM but during the audition rounds of American idol.

March ke baad channay bechnay ke liay contempt case kareinge?

 

[Guvera]

Supreme court and CJ has failed pretty badly i must say, if this govt along with the military is responsible for the loot maar, bayrooz gari, deshshat gardi then judiciary is equally responsible for it.