Zardari will enjoy immunity from criminal proceedings: Gilani

Islamabad, Jan.29 (ANI) : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has reiterated that President Asif Ali Zardari will continue to enjoy immunity from criminal proceedings.

Addressing the National Assembly (NA), Gilani rejected Leader of Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan's stance regarding a clash between the higher judiciary and Parliament over Zardari's constitutional amnesty.

Khan had described Gilani's comments on the presidential immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution as an attempt to politicise the issue.

Gilani countered Khan's statement and asked him to explain Article 248.

"Tell me what is the Supreme Court's interpretation of Article 248? he article's section two says: No criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued against the president or a governor in any court during his term of office," Gilani pointed out.

"I say we will implement Supreme Court judgments. I have never said that we will not implement them,' he added.

The lower house later passed a bill based on a Musharraf-era ordinance creating a civilian-military National Command Authority (NCA) for a 'complete command and control' over development and use of nuclear and space technologies in the country, with one amendment, according to which the Prime Minister would be the chairman of the authority rather than the President, The Dawn reported. (ANI)