national-assembly-660
A view of National Assembly in session. - File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Law and Justice Farooq H Naek on Thursday told the National Assembly that Yousuf Raza Gilani is still the Prime Minister of Pakistan and will remain so as the Supreme Court has not disqualified him.

“The prime minister has not been disqualified. He is the prime minister and will remain the prime minister,” said Naek concluding his speech in the house in which he gave a historic account of the cases against Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari.

He said the prime minister has never disobeyed the court nor ridiculed it rather appeared before the judiciary as an obedient person, not like an arrogant PM.

“I want to clarify here that the Supreme Court has not disqualified Yousuf Raza Gilani as prime minister or member of the National Assembly,” Naek said, adding court verdict has just stated that it may entail serious consequences.

Earlier, members from opposition benches shouted “go Gilani go” and “no Gilani no” slogans against the prime minister.

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan took charge of the protest and demanded the prime minister to resign from his post. “We will not allow a convicted person to rule the country,” he added.

Members from the treasury benches counter attacked the slogans from lawmaker sitting other side of isle.

The law minister also said as detailed verdict is yet to come and the prime minister would decide whether to file an appeal or not.

“Until the appeal is decided, the whole procedure would be considered as sub-judice,” he observed.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...