Presidential immunity

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These days the burning question of President’s immunity is very much the topic of national attention. The resident claims immunity for all past and present deeds while the Apex Court has observed that immunity has to be claimed from the court. As a result the nation is in a logjam over the critical issue. The President has vowed that the PM would not issue a letter to Swiss courts to open the case of his bank accounts of millions of dollars as required by the Apex Court.

The above imbroglio could best be resolved by reverting to pristine Islamic history where even the Holy Prophet (PBUH) offered himself to be accountable to a citizen and the caliphs presented themselves in the court for being accountable.

Article 25(1) of the Constitution also states that all citizens are equal before law and have equal protection of law which surmounts all other provisions as the President is also a citizen of Pakistan and could offer himself for being accountable for his deeds.

DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI

Lahore