Govt, SC faceoff over Swiss cases

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Govt, SC faceoff over Swiss cases

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23 September,2010 02:00 pm

Treading on the same confrontational path against the SC, the law ministry categorically stated that the money laundering cases, popularly known as Swiss cases, against President Zardari could not be reopened and added that doing so would be dangerous for the countrys sovereignty. In a five-point summary sent to the PM, the law ministry expressed serious reservations regarding reopening of Swiss cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. The summary has been prepared on the directives of the apex court. The summary states that the Swiss cases against President Asif Ali Zardari cannot be reopened for it would be tantamount to put countrys sovereignty at stake. It added that national assembly, senate and president could not be separated and parliament is supreme and hence its supremacy could not be challenged. The summary also states that as per law, no incumbent president could be prosecuted in any other country. Govt, SC clash may harm sovereignty: Najam SethiTalking to Dunya News on the development, senior analyst Najam Sethi said that it seemed as if the government has decided to give a solid reply to the SC and both seem to be on confrontational path. As the PM in his speech to the Upper House has said that no SC ruling would be implemented that is against the constitutional. He said the government would not write a letter to the Swiss government vis-a-vis reopening of cases against the President. He said that the summary must be prepared on the behest of Babar Awan, the Federal Law Minister. He said that the SC, government faceoff could harm the countrys sovereignty. Culprit has to face the music: Justice NasiraJustice (r) Nasira Javed Iqbal, while talking to Dunya News said that the president is the symbol of federations unity. She added that in her book Benazir said that nobody is above law whether he is a president. Anyone who did wrong has to face the music. AG could not close any corruption case: SM ZafarLegal expert SM Zafar, while talking to Dunya News, said that the SC questioned the authority of that person who closed the Swiss cases against the President. He stated that the Attorney General was not authorized to close any corruption case or take any decision in this regard. SC asked about the state of the cases that have been disposed off earlier as the AG has not authority over it. SC entitled to decide any case:Justice WajihuddinJustice (r) Wajihuddin has said that Zardari and his criminal cronies should be isolated and be prosecuted for the crimes they have committed. He said that the apex court is entitled to deal with the Swiss cases in anyway it wants. SC rulings not against Constitution: Hamid KhanFormer chairman SCBA Hamid Khan has said that Supreme Court ruling regarding the Swiss cases is not against the constitution. He said that it sounded as if the whole face of law is being changed to save one person (President Zardari). Law Ministry commits contempt of court: Qazi Anwar Chairman Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Qazi Anwar said that it is sheer contempt of court. The SC asked the ministry to prepare a summary in view of SC ruling but it did not comply to the orders.