ISLAMABAD: Former president, Supreme Court Bar Association, PPP
leader, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan has said that Pakistan’s Constitution
,Vienna Convention granted immunity to President, both within and
outside Pakistan.
Talking in a private TV channel, he clarified
that according to Constitution of Pakistan, President and five others
could be granted immunity for a specified period; “however everyone
should/could be subjected to accountability”, he declared.
He
said that he was committed to represent PM Yousaf Raza Gilani in Supreme
Court much earlier than Supreme Court’s verdict, and while strongly
denying the greed for any public office as such, said that the reference
against PM was personally motivated, he (Aitzaz) was PM’s advocate,
sans any reference to Law ministry.
“PM, Yousaf Raza Gilani
would go to courts humbly in this contempt of Court issue, which has to
undergo trail “, he declared, strongly rejecting the notion of taking a
procession to Court, while he also mentioned that if cabinet desired ,
the case could also be held as an open trail.
He cautioned the
Court regarding write to Swiss authorities, since if the cases failed to
be reopened despite letters, this would reflect badly on dignity of
Apex Court.
“Writing to Swiss Courts be in the long run, be
useless and nothing would/could be gained from these cases”, he
stressed, adding that PM’s case was certainly not an “open-and-shut”
case
Among other things he also strongly denied commenting on
news about Babar Awan’s appointment as law minister; however he cited
certain past cases where personas had been granted portfolios over
facing Court(s).
He said that his struggle against Musharraf
regime was not intentioned to mete the former President any punishment,
rather the entire movement had aimed at restoration of Judiciary.
“After
the 19th March act of Musharraf, events followed, culminating in 20th
July verdict of 13 judges of Supreme Court , and he was forced to allow
Benazir’s entry in Pakistan”, he said.
Replying to a question, he said that Asghar Khan Case should also be reviewed.
Agreeing
that there had been equal lapses on behalf of politicians and Court(s),
he said that even others had no restraint or hesitation to challenge
Court(s) , stressing on equal relief for all parties.
He also
stressed on change through democratic means, while he declared that
change of defense secretary was PM’s prerogative, who had a right to
choose cabinet and other appointments.
He also lauded Farooq. Naek as a reliable chairman for Senate. Online
