ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Thu, Ap 26) – Pakistan's apex court
found Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani guilty of contempt in an apparently
symbolic gesture today (Thursday, April 26) but left open the prospect that he
could be removed from office later.
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| SC convicted PM Gilani for contempt of court -- Wording of Verdict |
After months of altercations and conflicts between the
Supreme Court of Pakistan and the government, the court sentenced PM Gilani to
detention but only until the court adjourned a few minutes later. It was the
most indulgent sentence possible.
Even the judgment is believed to be symbolic; but, experts say, PM Gilani could still face problems because he has been convicted, a result that could mean that he could face removal from office in the near future.
The case has captivated Pakistan's fragile political system, driving a lock between the government and the judiciary; while the country plunging into economic and security threats. Yet both sides have assumed unshakable stances.
The case was centered on a letter the SC ordered PM Gilani to write to the authorities in Switzerland to renew an inactive corruption inquiry into the finances of President Asif Ali Zardari. PM Gilani didn’t conform, arguing that Mr. Zardari has immunity from prosecution.
Even the judgment is believed to be symbolic; but, experts say, PM Gilani could still face problems because he has been convicted, a result that could mean that he could face removal from office in the near future.
The case has captivated Pakistan's fragile political system, driving a lock between the government and the judiciary; while the country plunging into economic and security threats. Yet both sides have assumed unshakable stances.
The case was centered on a letter the SC ordered PM Gilani to write to the authorities in Switzerland to renew an inactive corruption inquiry into the finances of President Asif Ali Zardari. PM Gilani didn’t conform, arguing that Mr. Zardari has immunity from prosecution.
Dawn News, local English daily, has retrieved the wording of
the SC verdict read as below:
For the reasons to be recorded later, the accused Syed
Yousuf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister of Pakistan/Chief Executive of the
federation, is found guilty of and convicted for contempt of court, under
Article 204 (2) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973,
read with Section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance (Ordinance 5 of 2003)
for wilful flouting, disregard and disobedience of this court’s direction
contained in paragraph number 178 of the judgment delivered in the case of Dr
Mubashir Hasan versus the Federation of Pakistan (PLD 2010 SC 265).
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Tags: Pakistan, Politics, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan
Prime Minister, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, President Zardari,
PM convicted, Supreme Court Verdict
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