Pak govt, Zardari bracing themselves for legal battle against NRO judgment

Islamabad, Jan.21 (ANI): The Pakistan government may file another petition seeking review of the Supreme Court's verdict on the controversial amnesty law, the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in the National Assembly, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Babar Awan said the government is examining the detailed judgement of the apex court, which nullified the NRO from the date of its enforcement.

Awan also rejected Khan's charges that the government was heading towards a confrontation with the higher judiciary (Supreme Court) over the issue.

"If somebody wants a confrontation (to happen) we will disappoint him," The Dawn quoted Awan, as saying.

"Judgments are no danger to the (democratic) system because the judgments are made by an institution sitting in a trichotomy (of parliament, executive and judiciary) and subservient to the Constitution.

There is no danger of confrontation to any institution nor there is any danger to the system," he added.

Meanwhile, the Presidency too has reportedly braced itself to fight a legal battle and contest the scrapping of the ordinance and reopening of corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, following the detailed judgement on the NRO being made public.

Insiders said that Zardari is likely to seek his close aide Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan's legal assistance over the issue.

Dr Mobashir Hassan, on whose petition the apex court scrapped the NRO, said he was confident that Zardari would vigorously appeal against the Supreme Court's decision.

"I know the feudal mind, if he believes it is a matter of tribal honour, he would even lay down his life," Hassan said. (ANI)