In-focus

Pakistan

Contempt case: Aitzazs conditional offer to end arguments today

Dunya News

PMs counsel in contempt case, Aitzaz Ahsan has put a condition to end his argument today.

Aitzaz Ahsan, the counsel of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in the contempt case has put a condition to end his argument today.Justice Ijaz Chaudhary asked Barrister Aitzaz on Thursdayto finish his arguments on which he replied that first of all the court pledge that he( Aitzaz) would not be asked to write the letter.In the previous hearing on Thursday, seven-member larger bench under the headship of Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk held the proceedings of the contempt case against Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani.Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan on behalf of Prime Minister told the court that Attorney General made a false statement regarding implementation on the courts’ decision. As a matter of fact, he did not inform Prime Minister in the light of the decision. He should say all on oath.The bench in its remarks said that there was nothing about the immunity to the President in the courts’ verdict. “We had asked Attorney General on 16 January that had he conveyed the decision of the court of implementation on NRO to the Prime Minister. But he told us that he had waited till midnight but no reply was received from Prime Minister House”, said Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk.Justice Ijaz Chaudhary said that it means that Prime Minister did not take any notice of the decision. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa asked Aitzaz Hussain that why PM himself not informed the court when court framed the charges against him. He did not tell anything, even there was nothing such thing in the written reply submitted by him that Attorney General not informed him.Aitzaz said that the learned judges cannot hold criminal trial. On which Justice Asif Khosa said that the PM did not act upon the courts’ decision so the court had to do all this.Barrister Aitzaz read out the summary send to Prime Minister in front of the court, on which court also instructed him to also read the options in loud voice given by the SC.The court declared that the all the options are still open. Now it up to you that which one suits you. The ball is in the court of Prime Minister. If he writes the letter, then all issues can be resolved.Aitzaz said that first option is not appropriate constitutionally, whereas in the second option the court not only threw hydrogen bomb but also conducted carpeted bombing in which no one including President and Prime Minister had been left.On which Justice Khosa said that the court did not want to go to such extent, but no action was taken on December’s decision, then the court had to give these options. He said that Prime Minister is the representative of 180 million people and he has more responsibilities on his shoulder than anybody else.On which Barrister Aitzaz said that the court has too the responsibility of constitution on its shoulders. Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani said that the alone court is not responsible but each one has the responsibility to protect law.Barrister Aitzaz said that the President has full immunity under Vienna Convention. In 2002 International Court of Justice gave immunity to the Foreign Minister of Congo. Qaddafi got rid of case in France due to immunity. UNO has also ratified the immunity to the heads of states in its report.Justice Asif Khosa said that only diplomats performing duties in other countries enjoy immunity. On which Aitzaz replied that Vienna Convention based on the principle that President is top most representative of the country. The purpose of immunity is to protect the reverence of the state as well honour of its head.
Related Topics
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Business