Islamabad: In a major blow to beleaguered Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the Supreme Court on Friday rejected his appeal, asking him to appear before it on February 13 to frame contempt charges for not reopening graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
"Our appeal was rejected. As a result of this, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will be charged for contempt of court on February 13. Inshallah, the Prime Minister will appear (in court) on February 13," Gilani's lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan said outside the court.
Gilani had cited precedents in India and other countries to move a plea in the court against its order summoning him for framing contempt charges.
An eight-judge led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry rejected the appeal soon after the premier's lawyer concluded his arguments this morning.
Ahsan reiterated that Gilani had done no wrong by not reviving the cases against Zardari as the President enjoyed immunity from prosecution within Pakistan and abroad.
Gilani, 59, will now have to appear before another seven-judge bench on February 13 to be charged with contempt of court for defying its order to write to the Swiss government to reopen the cases against Zardari.
The Prime Minister, who had earlier appeared before the court on January 19, had pleaded that the President enjoys immunity and as such the cases cannot be reopened against him.
The Supreme Court bench had on February 2 summoned him for the framing of charges.
If Gilani is convicted for contempt, he could be jailed for six months and barred from holding public office.
Comments
0 comment