ISLAMABAD: A seven-member of the Supreme Court Monday framed formal
charges of contempt against Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani over
failure to reopen graft cases agaisnt President asif Ali Zardrai.
The apex court adjourned the case till February 22.
Gilani
became first Pakistani premier as Justice Nasirul Mulk heading the
larger bench, read charge-sheet against him singed by seven judges of
the apex court bench.
According to charge-sheet PM Gilani has
been indicted for not complying with paragraph number 178 of Supreme
Court’s verdict in NRO case.
The Supreme Court bench headed by
Justice Nasirul Mulk read out the 2-page charge sheet signed by all
bench judges and indicted him of the contempt with PM Gilani standing in
the dock.
“Have you read the charges framed against you?” asked the bench.
“Yes, I have read. I understood,” he replied adding after the consultation with his counsel, “I will plead innocence.”
The court exempted the PM Gilani from appearing in person in next hearing to be held on February 22.
The
2-page charge sheet states that the PM Gilani violated Article 204 of
the Constitution by not writing a letter to the Swiss authorities in
accordance with the court orders. It said he also violated para- 178 of
the court’s verdict in the NRO implementation case.
Later on, the PM Gilani’s counsel Aitzaz Ahsan pleaded the court he will go to London on February 18 and will return on 21.
Granting
his plea, the court said the evidences will be recorded on February 28,
adding the documents of the prosecution will be submitted on February
22.
Attorney General has been directed file documents by 16 February.
It
should be mentioned here on Friday, the SC dismissed the intra-court
appeal filed by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani against
indictment order, saying the indictment ruling by seven-member bench is
in accordance with law.
An eight-strong bench headed by Chief
Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry heard the appeal
against the February 2 order; however, concluding the proceedings, the
court upheld the previous ruling by 7-member bench, saying there is no
need for the apex court to interfere with the proceedings of the
seven-strong bench.
Earlier, the court was prayed to retract the
show-cause notice issued to the PM Gilani. The court held that the
cases abolished abroad, will be revived and a letter was sought from the
government of Pakistan to this effect, adding the government never on
any stage opposed this.
The order said the PM Gilani was called
upon to implement this order in the capacity of chief executive of the
country; but, he failed to perform his duty in this regard.
The
five-member bench, consequently, kick-started the judicial proceedings;
but, the government continued its policy of negligence and avoidance to
implement the order. Viewing this government attitude, the court gave
six –option ruling on January 10.
Even now, there was no headway
in this connection; then, a seven-strong bench issued contempt of court
notice to the PM Gilani on January 16; but, the court did not receive
any written rejoinder from him to this date.
The PM’s counsel
Aitezza Ahsan, a renowned lawyer told the court, “The PM Gilani was not
directed in the show-cause notice to give a written order.”
The
apex court, after hearing the PM’s counsel for two consecutive days,
decided today (Friday) to indict him (PM Gilani) on next hearing
scheduled on February 13 (today) before the seven-judge bench.
The next hearing will be held on February 22 and then on Feb. 28. Online
