Zardari can only be dethroned through impeachment: Ahsan

Islamabad, Feb.2 (ANI): Stressing that President Asif Ali Zardari enjoys amnesty only in criminal cases and not in civil ones, former Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Aitzaz Ahsan has said Zardari could only be removed from office through impeachment.

"The president enjoys immunity in criminal cases under Article 247 and 248 of the constitution, but not in civil suits.A joint session of Parliament could impeach the President if a court found him guilty," Ahsan told reporters here.

Explaining under what circumstances an impeachment resolution can be moved against the President, he said such a motion can be moved by a simple majority in Parliament.

Ahsan, however, said that for the removal of the President, two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and the Senate had to be proved by a joint session within seven to fourteen days.

Responding to a question, he said the Swiss cases would be decided in accordance with the law and regulations of that country.

"However, if the Pakistani government requested the Swiss government to reopen the cases, they could be reinitiated in accordance with international law," The Daily Times quoted Ahsan, as saying. (ANI)