PM’s contempt of court hearing resumes
Supreme Court of Pakistan. — Photo by AP

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday resumed the hearing of the contempt of court case against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, DawnNews reported.

A seven-member bench led by Justice Nasirul Mulk is hearing the case.

The newly appointed Attorney General of Pakistan, Irfan Qadir was also present in the court.

Qadir was permitted by the court to act as a prosecutor in the case while being given two days to start his arguments.

While presenting his evidence, the prime minister's counsel Aitzaz Ahsan informed the court that he was being harassed by a particular media group and was being accused of lying. He said that misreported news was being published by that particular media group.

Ahsan asked the court to provide him with security in regards to this situation.

Aitzaz Ahsan while talking to media representatives outside the Supreme Court said that it was unfortunate that sections of the media were misreporting his words and the court's proceedings.

On April 12, Aitzaz Ahsan had said that although many people disliked President Asif Ali Zardari, he was still an elected leader and hence could not be presented before any court of law.

Ahsan had also argued that under Article 10-A of the constitution, the sitting bench was not eligible to hear the case.

Earlier, Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk said to Ahsan that if a convincing argument for presidential immunity was established, there would be no need to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the prime minister.

Moreover, Justice Ejaz Afzal had said that the letter to the Swiss authorities should have been written and the issue of immunity would have come later.

The premier’s counsel had told the bench that the president enjoyed immunity from prosecution both inside and outside Pakistan. He further said that while there was no harm in writing the letter to the Swiss authorities, not writing the letter was not tantamount to committing contempt of court.

Opinion

Editorial

Errant ECP
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Errant ECP

THE ECP has once again earned a detailed reprimand from the Supreme Court. That it still refuses to correct course is ominous
Fast-tracking M6
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Fast-tracking M6

GRAND infrastructure projects in Pakistan often progress at the pace of a bullock cart rather than a bullet train....
Gwadar airport
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Gwadar airport

THE air connectivity established by the inauguration of PIA flights between Karachi and Gwadar is a major step...
Trump 2.0
Updated 21 Jan, 2025

Trump 2.0

Few have forgotten how disruptive Trump could be as president. There has been little indication that his 2nd term will be any different.
GB’s status
21 Jan, 2025

GB’s status

THE demand raised by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for constitutional clarity and provisional provincial status is...
Panda bond
Updated 21 Jan, 2025

Panda bond

ISLAMABAD’S plans to raise $200m from China’s capital markets through the inaugural issue of a Panda bond this...