Gilani has no option but to write letter: Nawaz
February 11th, 2012 - 2:57 pm ICT by IANS
Islamabad, Feb 11 (IANS) Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has no option but to write to the Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, opposition leader Nawaz Sharif has said.
Gilani has refused to write to the Swiss authorities, as directed by the Supreme Court, arguing that Zardari enjoys immunity under the constitution.
Sharif, chief of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), said the prime minister “should think seriously” about writing the letter, and that the PML-N would stand by the Supreme Court if he did not do so, Geo News reported.
Accused of graft, Zardari had been granted amnesty under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in 2007 by then president Pervez Musharraf to facilitate his return and, primarily, that of his wife, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto from self-exile.
The NRO that granted immunity to politicians and bureaucrats in corruption cases was struck down as void in 2009.
The apex court warned the government of action if its ruling on the NRO was not implemented by Jan 10, 2012. It further ordered the government to write a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen the graft cases.
On Jan 16, the court issued Gilani a contempt notice for not acting against Zardari.
Gilani will now appear before the Supreme Court Feb 13 to be formally charged with failing to reopen the graft cases against Zardari. If convicted, he faces six months in prison and risks losing his parliamentary seat. He may also be slapped with a five-year ban from holding any public office.
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- Gilani convicted, opposition demands his ouster (Second Lead) - Apr 26, 2012
- Gilani stands disqualified as PM, rules Supreme Court (Lead) - Jun 19, 2012
- Letter that closed Zardari graft cases to be withdrawn: PM - Sep 18, 2012
- Attorney general gets court order in Zardari case - Mar 10, 2012
- Gilani contempt verdict to be announced April 26 - Apr 24, 2012
- Pakistan braces for anti-government protests - Apr 30, 2012
- President enjoys immunity, Pakistan PM tells apex court - Jan 19, 2012
- Gilani has committed contempt, rules Pakistan court - Feb 02, 2012
- A first for Pakistan: Gilani indicted for contempt (Evening Lead) - Feb 13, 2012
- Gilani convicted for contempt, gets symbolic sentence (Lead) - Apr 26, 2012
- Gilani won't ask Switzerland to reopen cases against Zardari - Feb 10, 2012
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