ISLAMABAD: Embattled prime minister is not guilty of contempt of court but should bow to pressure and ask Switzerland to reopen graft cases against the president, his lawyer said Wednesday.
The comments from Aitzaz Ahsan are the clearest indication yet that Yousuf Raza Gilani may step back from the brink of further confrontation with the judiciary when he is summoned before Pakistan's top court on Thursday.
The Supreme Court has initiated contempt of court proceedings against Gilani, exasperated by the government's refusal to write to the Swiss asking them to re-open graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari since an amnesty expired in 2009.
“Asif Ali Zardari has complete immunity as president,” Ahsan told reporters.
“There is no harm in writing a letter to the Swiss authorities. He enjoys immunity in Pakistan and abroad as long as he is president,” he added.
Gilani's decision to appoint Ahsan as his lawyer has been seen as a reconciliatory gesture to the judiciary, which has been on a collision course with the government that most believe will force early elections this year.
Ahsan said he did not believe Gilani would be convicted.
“I don't think the prime minister has committed contempt of court by not writing the letter. Through my arguments I will try to convince the court that the prime minister is not guilty of contempt.”
Ahsan said that his stance regarding presidential immunity and the writing of a letter to Swiss authorities has always been very clear.
He said that former ruler Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf did not have immunity from prosecution because the cases registered against him were civil in nature.
When asked how he would defend his client before the bench hearing the contempt of court notice against the premier, the barrister said that there should remain some suspense regarding his take on the matter.
Last year, a Swiss prosecutor said that it would be “impossible” to reopen a case against Zardari, as he has immunity.
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