Gilani stands disqualified as PM, rules SC
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled Speaker National Assembly Fehmida Mirzas ruling as void and declared that Yousuf Raza Gilani stood disqualified since April 26, DawnNews reported.
The Supreme Court announced the move after convicting Gilani on April 26 of contempt for refusing to ask Switzerland to reopen a multi-million-dollar corruption investigation into President Asif Ali Zardari.
Yousuf Raza Gilani has become disqualified from being member of the parliament, said Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, reading the order.
He has also ceased to be the prime minister of Pakistan with effect from the same date (April 26) and office of the prime minister shall be deemed to be vacant accordingly.
The Election Commission is required to issue notification of disqualification
The president is required to take necessary steps under the constitution to ensure continuation of democratic process through parliamentary system of government in the country, he added.
A three-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain heard a set of constitutional petitions challenging National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirzas ruling over the reference against Yousuf Raza Gilani.
The bench had been hearing a set of petitions filed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI), Azhar Chaudhry advocate and others challenging the speakers ruling of May 24 over the qualification issue.
Tuesdays hearing
Earlier during todays hearing, Attorney General Irfan Qadir presented in court the National Assemblys resolution endorsing the speakers ruling. The resolution had been moved by the government and was adopted by the NA on June 14.
We respect the courts, however, state institutions should try to avoid clash amongst themselves, the Attorney General said.
Upon which the Chief Justice remarked that the judiciary respected the parliament and that there was no clash between the states institutions.
Justice Khilji remarked that the courts duty was to interpret the law and the constitution and to stop all measures which violate these.
Qadir said that if the court issued an order against the speakers ruling, the parliament would declare it invalid.
Gilani stands disqualified as PM, rules SC | DAWN.COM