Kaira expresses reservations over SC verdict

LONDON: Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government has deep reservations on the detailed verdict issued by the apex court over Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s contempt of court case.

Kaira, who is London with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s delegation, told Geo News that Justice Khosa had added his personal opinion to the verdict which smacked of bias and his personal opinion.

The Supreme Court said in its detailed verdict in contempt of court case against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani that the premier had “willfully, deliberately and persistently defied a clear direction of the highest court of the country”, raising the possibility that he could face a five-year disqualification from being elected to parliament or a provincial assembly.

“A matter of someone’s personal belief should not be part of the judgment. No one has a right to lampoon someone on the basis of personal likings and disliking. Justice Khosa should have reserved his personal thinking to himself. Beliefs are a personal matter and must remain so,” said the Information Minister.

He said that the detailed judgment had nothing new in it “as far as the sentencing is concerned”. He said there were many gaps, areas of ambiguity and confusion in the judgment but the government was determined to file an appeal against the verdict.

“We respect judiciary and Prime Minister’s appearance before the Supreme Court three times in a short span of time is a testimony to this. As fr as the decision in the contempt of court is concerned, the PM has the right to use all legal and constitutional option to defend himself

Kaira said that Prime Minister Gilani’s visit to the UK comes at a crucial time and shows the depth of the closeness between the two countries. “It’s a mandatory scheduled visit to review the progress of Enhanced Strategic Dialogue alternately in the two countries. This visit is significant for Pakistan because it encompasses very vital sectors of Pakistan’s economy, health, education, security, energy and culture.”