Islamabad, Jan 19, IRNA – Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, who appeared in the Supreme Court on a contempt of court notice on Thursday, told the apex court that he respects the judiciary and will again appear in the court if summoned also in the future
Gilani appeared before a 7-member bench of the Supreme Court for failing to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
The Prime Minister argued in the court that he did not order reopening of corruption cases against the President as he enjoys immunity under the constitution.
“I cannot even to think about disrespect to courts,” PM Gilani said in the court.
Gilani is the third Pakistani Prime Minister to appear in the Supreme Court in contempt of court’s proceedings. Late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who ruled Pakistan from 1971-77, appeared in the court and the two-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was also called to the Supreme Court in 90s.
Head of the seven-member bench Justice Asif Khosa told the Prime Minister that the government did not write to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against the president.
“I did not write as the President has immunity under the constitution,” the Prime Minister said in his court’s statement.
“If the President was dragged into courts, it will send wrong message to the world,” he further said.
He said his government is committed to implement courts’ orders in line with the spirit of the constitution.
Judges praised the Prime Minister to appear in the Supreme Court.
“It is a great day that the Prime Minister appears before the court,” Justice Khosa remarked.
Justice Sarmad Usmani on the bench said if the Prime Minister says that he respects the courts then why he did not implement the courts’ orders. He argued that if the Prime Minister insists on his previous arguments then it means he does not accept the court’s orders.
The apex court exempted the Prime Minister from appearing on the next hearing.
The Court adjourned the proceedings till February 1 after the Prime Minister and his defence lawyer Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan made statements. The Court asked the defence counsel to submit a reply by February 1st.
