SC asks Aitzaz to complete arguments on Friday
465 viewsBy jazbablog - Thu Feb 09, 10:51 pm
ISLAMABAD: An eight-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday adjourned hearing of the intra-court appeal of prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani against the apex court’s larger bench decision to indict the prime minister in contempt of court case till Friday 10th February.
The bench asked the counsel for the prime minister Aitzaz Ahsan to complete his argument.
The bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is comprised justices Shakirullah Jan, Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Jawad S Khawaja, Tariq Pervez, Amir Hani Muslim, Saqib Nisar and Khilji Arif Hussain.
During the hearing chief justice pointed out some point of the plea were objectionable. He said it was said in the appeal that the court was favoured by prime minister. “Do we sit here for seeking favour,” he questioned. The Chief Justice remarked that the executive embarrassed himself and tried to influence the court. He remarked that nobody was above the law.
“We do not how you were convinced to write such things in the appeal” Chief Justice remarked.” By the grace of Allah we did not bow before those who consider themselves powerful,” the Chief Justice remarked.
The Chief Justice observed that the appeal itself was tantamount to contempt of court. Aitzaz Ahsan said paragraph regarding children of judges could remove from the appeal. Later, paragraphs 42,45 and 51 were removed form the appeal.
Aitzaz Ahsan said he was appearing before the Chief Justice after four years. “You had taken part in the the movement in your personal capacity,” Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali remarked.
Ahsan said that not prime minister but Yousuf Raza Gilani will have to go to jail. He said he did not want confrontation between state institutions.
He said that his client should be given benefit of doubt.
“How many options do you have?” The case has entered in final phase,” Justice Saqib Nisar said. He said the prime minister’s conduct would be very important in cumming days.
Aitzaz said the seven member bench had used very strict language in its six options. He also read the bench order regarding President Asif Ali Zardri’s interview to a private television.
The Cheif Justice said court options were for its itself not for anybody else. He said that whatever was told Hamid Mir in the TV interview was a reality and it was not denied by anyone. He said that the president had said letter would not be written to Swiss authorities. “How could we move forward in this situation,”
“We will terminate the proceeding now if letter is written,” Chief Justice remarked. He said the PM had no right to ridicule the court.
AItzaz Ahsan said realities should be seen before indictment. The Chief Juremarked that the prime minister should respect the court.
Ahsan said the PM should be given an opportunity instead of summoning him. We do not know as to why prime minister is going to such an extent. If he doesn’t want to implement court orders, he should send supreme court home”.
The court appreciated Aitzaz Ahsan for his argument and put off the haring till Friday. The court asked him to complete his argument.
Latter talking to media Aitzaz Ahsan said that he has no doubt that the verdict of this case would be based on merit.
Aitzaz said he was tired by speaking before the honorable court for more than seven hours adding that Friday would be important day for this case.
Responding to question what political affects could be if verdict comes against the prime mister, Aitzaz said he would not reply any questions which start with “if”.
