Aitzaz-Ahsan-670
Aitzaz Ahsan, lawyer for Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, leaves after appearing at the Supreme Court in Islamabad. — Photo by Reuters

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's counsel, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, on Thursday said that the prime minister was not disqualified after the verdict and that an appeal challenging the decision would soon be filed, DawnNews reported.

“I will file the appeal after receiving the detailed order of the court,” Ahsan told a press conference.

One of the charges in the summary judgment issued by seven judges at the Supreme Court earlier Thursday was not mentioned when Gilani was indicted in February, Ahsan said.

He was referring to Article 63 (1) (g) which he said did not apply to the charge that had been leveled against the prime minister.

“I will raise this in my appeal. The appeal will go before a larger bench of the Supreme Court,” he said.

The counsel moreover said that he was surprised that although there was no charge against the premier of 'scandalising' the judiciary, it was still made part of the judgment.

Also addressing the press conference, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader and Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said that by appearing before the bench, the prime minister had shown his respect for the country's judiciary.

He however said that while the Sharif brothers' convictions had been quashed, a prime minister from the PPP was sentenced.

Gilani was found guilty of contempt over his refusal to obey an order to write to the authorities in Switzerland to ask them to restart corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

OUT of nowhere, the government has launched a new cybercrime authority: the National Cyber Crimes Investigation...
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...