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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s counsel Aitza Ahsan on Thursday said that any ‘third party’ could take advantage amidst the growing tension between the judiciary and the executive, DawnNews reported.
Speaking to media representatives outside the Supreme Court building, he lamented over the apex court’s verdict against the premier and asked: “Why only civilian prime ministers are indicted for contempt of court…and not any military generals?”
Earlier, the apex court had ruled that contempt of court proceedings would be initiated against the prime minister on Feb 13.
The ruling came after a seven-judge bench of the apex court heard the contempt case against Prime Minister Gilani.
The bench ruled out Ahsan’s plea for more time to present his arguments and summoned his client to appear before the court on Feb 13.
Aitzaz Ahsan said that his client had the right to appeal against the verdict and that he would advise the prime minister to do so.
However, he said that the prime minister could only be dislodged from his post through constitutional means. “Gilani can remain prime minister even if he is convicted,” he claimed.
In a related development, the prime minister called a ‘high level’ meeting of the heads of the coalition partners to discuss the verdict.
