Pak PM Gilani issued contempt of court notice by SC

Islamabad, Jan 16: With the constitutional crisis spiraling to huge proportions in Pakistan, the Pakistani Supreme Court accelerated the crisis by issuing a contempt of court notice to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. He has been ordered to appear before court on Jan 19.

Gilani in a spirited argument had stated that the Parliament was supreme and that there was no need for him to seek a trust vote. There were indications that the all-powerful military will abide by the apex court. With the crisis in Pakistan going from bad to worse, after Gilani was indicted in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case, a corruption amnesty issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in 2007.

Gilani was served this verdict by a seven-member bench of the Supreme Court. The SC during the course of hearing the case had directed the Attorney General Anwarul Haq 20 minutes to speak to the government and seek advice on the NRO case. The SC is presently hearing the case regarding the re-opening of the corruption cases against Pak Presdent Asif Ali Zardari.

The only way left for Gilani is to seek a vote of confidence in the National Assembly to save his cornered government. The SC and the military is training its guns on the Gilani govt.

With clear indication that the military led by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani would follow the orders of the Supreme Court, Gilani is expected to win the vote on a resolution that seeks endorsement and support for "efforts made by the political leadership for strengthening democracy" and calls for reposing "full confidence and trust" in the leadership.

The army had issued a strong statement earlier that warned of "potential grievous consequences for the country" with the row raising fears of another coup in the country.

Reports cite that the court proceedings will continue even as Gilani continues his term in office.

OneIndia News