Contempt of court: Gilani set to appear before apex court
January 19th, 2012 - 11:28 am ICT by IANS
Islamabad, Jan 19 (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was Thursday set to appear before the Supreme Court following a contempt notice for not implementing a directive to act against President Asif Ali Zardari for corruption.
Gilani had Jan 16 been directed to appear personally before the apex court bench.
Zardari, accused of graft, had been granted amnesty under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), which was issued in 2007 by then president Pervez Musharraf to facilitate the return of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and her husband Zardari. The NRO was struck down as void by the Supreme Court in 2009.
Prominent Pakistani lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan will represent Gilani.
Before the prime minister’s arrival, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan, Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan and Law Minister Moula Baksh Chandio reached the apex court.
Ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) information secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira said democracy had been restored after many sacrifices and the prime minister was appearing before the court, said Geo News.
The Supreme Court had been converted into a virtual fortress, with the prime minister’s security having carried out a thorough scanning of the premises a day earlier.
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- Pakistan parliament passes resolution supporting Gilani (Night Lead) - Jan 17, 2012
- Gilani convicted for contempt, opposition wants him out (Third Lead) - Apr 26, 2012
- Gilani, Qureshi among many ministers yet to send educational degrees for verification - Oct 16, 2010
- Contempt of court: Supreme Court adjourns till Feb 1 - Jan 19, 2012
- Pakistani PM files appeal in contempt of court - Feb 08, 2012
- Have always respected court: Gilani - Jan 19, 2012
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Tags: apex court, ashiq, asif ali zardari, awami national party, benazir bhutto, contempt notice, contempt of court, court bench, federal minister, former prime minister, geo news, information secretary, kaira, law minister, moula, national reconciliation, pakistan peoples party, qamar, virtual fortress, wali khan