Speaker ruling case: Aitzaz requests to form larger bench-The Shaan News
By Unknown - Thursday, June 14, 2012
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) is continuing hearing the petitions against the National Assembly speaker’s ruling on the issue of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani’s conviction in a contempt of court case Friday, Geo News reported.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, resumed hearing the petitions filed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), advocate Azhar Chaudhry and others challenging the NA speaker's ruling of May 28 that there was no question of PM's disqualification.
During today’s proceedings, Aitzaz Ahsan submitted his request on behalf of the prime minister to form a larger bench and told that the contempt of court is of three types.
Aitzaz contended that the speaker does not act merely like a post office and that the latter can use his right. He said that PM’s conviction does not mean his disqualification.
On this, the CJ remarked that the PM decided not to appeal against the verdict which means that he has accepted the verdict.
Aitzaz replied that his party has accepted the verdict but not PM’s disqualification from his office. He continued saying that he was not showing his disapproval of the court’s judgment but trying to convince the court that the PM has not been disqualified on the basis of verdict.
He further said that his client did not need to appeal against the verdict and that he was not asking to change it. He said that the show cause and the charge sheet against the PM did not mention the contempt of court.
On Thursday, the counsel for petitioner Azhar Chaudhry , Advocate AK Dogar said that the SC disqualified Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, however, he is still holding his office. He said that Gilani deliberately insulted the court, and that the speaker’s ruling was against the verdict announced by a seven-member bench.
He argued that the prime minister was disqualified because of the application of Article 63 (1) (g) of the Constitution.
"And with the insertion of the above said article the role of NA Speaker and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) regarding disqualification of a member has ended, thus, she (the Speaker) has no authority to rule against the court order."
Aitzaz Ahsan, counsel for Gilani, said he would like to submit the power of attorney on behalf of his client and asked the bench to allow him time to prepare but the CJ asked him to prepare till Friday.
Hamid Khan, counsel for PTI Chairman Imran Khan, also appeared before the court and contended that the NA speaker's ruling was without jurisdiction and unlawful.
"The sentencing of PM Gilani stands final as no appeal was filed against the conviction," Hamid said.
During the hearing, an altercation started in the courtroom after some lawyers and Attorney General Irfan Qadir exchanged harsh words.
The argument started when the attorney general said that all the lawyers had “run away” from the court premises when the SC announced its verdict in the contempt case against the prime minister. He said this while the media was still there but no lawyer was seen there.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry told Qadir not to undermine the reputation of the court by making such statements. Justice Jawad S Khwaja remarked that the attorney general should “not create noise” as he was a senior law officer. Lawyers started chanting slogans against the attorney general.
The police were called in the courtroom to control the situation. Police officials tried to calm down the infuriated lawyers and told them to take their seats.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till today.
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