All decisions made by Gilani between Apr 26-Jun 19 protected

Islamabad, Jun 24 President

today issued an ordinance to give constitutional protection to all striking decisions made by former premier

during the period when he was disqualified by the Supreme Court, averting a possible crisis.

A notification issued by the Law Ministry said the ordinance provided constitutional protection to all decisions made by Gilani between April 26 and June 19.

The ordinance also covers all domestic and foreign agreements signed by Gilani and advise given by him to the President during this period. According to the ordinance, the decisions made by Gilani cannot be challenged in any court or forum, including the Supreme Court.

The notification said the President had issued an ordinance because both houses of Parliament were not in session. On June 19, the Supreme Court disqualified Gilani due to his conviction of contempt for refusing to reopen graft cases in Switzerland against Zardari.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry further ruled that the post of premier had been vacant since April 26, when another bench had convicted Gilani of contempt.

The apex court's ruling against Gilani had led to speculation about the legal status of decisions made by him since April 26. Several petitions filed in different courts said Gilani’'s decisions from April 26 onwards should be declared null and void.

PTI