PM Gilani indicted in contempt case

ISLAMABAD: A seven member bench headed by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk Monday framed charge against Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in a suo moto case No. 4/2010 etc (Contempt of Court Matter) for non-compliance of para 178 of the Supreme Court (SC) judgement in National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

The bench comprising Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Muhammad Athar Saeed after a brief proceedings of the contempt of court case framed the two-page charge sheet against the Prime Minister for non-compliance of the SC judgement on NRO.

He is the first prime minister of the country who has been indicted in contempt of court. Gilani, who swept into the court dressed in a dark suit, grey tie, white shirt and cufflinks, was charged within minutes of appearing.

Attorney General for Pakistan Moulvi Anwar ul Haq assisted the court during the proceedings of the contempt of court case.

Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan appeared before the court as counsel of the prime minister.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Asfandyar Wali Khan and federal ministers including Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Syed Khurshid Shah, Mir Changeze Jamali, Syed Naveed Qamar, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Rehman A Malik and Maula Bakhash Chandio, Governor Punjab Sardar Latif Khan Khosa and a large number of members of the Parliament and leaders belonging to PPP were also present in the court room during the contempt proceedings against the prime minister.

On the question of the bench regarding the charge sheet, the prime minister said, "I will reply to the charge sheet in writing. I will defend myself".

Do you accept the charge sheet, the head of the bench Justice Nasir ul Mulk questioned after reading out the two-page charge sheet.

PM Gilani said "No".

The bench directed the Attorney General to act as prosecutor in the contempt of court case and submit all relevant documents including list of witnesses of the case till February 16.

The AG was also directed to record evidence from the prosecution side till February 22.

The bench exempted the prime minister from his personal appearance before the court.

However, Aitzaz Ahsan will also submit relevant documents from the defence side including the list of witnesses till February 27. The prime minister will defend the charge sheet on February 28.

The bench will also take up the hearing of the case on February 28 for further proceedings.