ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court has asked Prime Minister Raja Pervez Asharf to respond to its order to reopen graft cases in Switzerland against President Asif Ali Zardari, an issue that had cost his predecessor his job.
A three-judge Bench headed by Mr Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk reminded Attorney-General that former Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani had been convicted for contempt and sentenced for refusing to act on the SC’s orders to revive the corruption cases.The bench asked for the response of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf about whether or not he will write letter to Swiss authorities and to proceed in bringing $60 million back to Pakistan.
The Bench said in a brief order that it expected the new Premier to act on the court’s directives and will consider the fact that the former premier was punished for disrespecting the court.The judges asked the country’s attorney-general to consult the Prime Minister and inform the court of his stance at the next hearing on 12 July.Lawyer of former high up of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Ahmed Riaz Sheikh and former Managing Director Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited, Adnan Khwaja, Dr Basit was also present in the court.
Dr Basit told the Supreme Court that both of his clients have been dismissed from their posts and they have also paid the fines imposed on them.Given that the Supreme Court should order it to be the last day of the court proceeding, Dr Basit noted.At this Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk said the case could not be concluded in the absence of the lawyer of National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
During the hearing, the court asked the lawyer of former Attorney General Malik Qayyum whether NAB filed a reference against Malik Qayyum, at which Waseem Sajjad said Malik Qayyum was under treatment in a hospital in London and NAB has confirmed it from Pakistan High Commission.It might be clarified that the Supreme Court ordered to reopen the Swiss cases against President Asif Ali Zardari in paragraph 178 of the decision of NRO case.
Charge of contempt of court was levelled against former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and he was disqualified subsequently.Before this, the apex court also suggested six options for the government to implement the court’s ruling and clarified that the court can also constitute a commission for implementation of its verdict.The court adjourned the hearing of NRO implementation case till July 12. – Onlinenews
