It’s better to cooperate with judges, Wyne advises Zardari

As the political crisis facing the government grew worse on Monday with the Supreme Court issuing a contempt of court notice to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for failing to implement the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) verdict, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) Chairman General Khalid Shameem Wyne called on President Asif Ali Zardari with a word of advice to opt for cooperation with the judiciary. General Wyne, in his meeting with the president here at the Presidency, observed that the army wanted the resolution of the memo scandal in the Supreme Court and was not in favour of any undemocratic or unconstitutional act, according to a source privy to the discussion.
The military leadership was worried about the worsening political situation in the country and wanted the resolution of all issues between the state institutions within the ambit of the constitution and in accordance with the law, he said. He said the JCSC chairman said every other institution should also opt for restraint and not confrontation as the country was facing serious challenges that could be overcome with harmony between the organs of state.
“It’s time to follow the constitution and take every step in accordance with the law,” the source quoted General Wyne as saying. He said President Zardari told General Wyne that the government would never resort to any unlawful action and would fully abide by the constitution.
“The president said he and his party were against clashing with any institution and wanted a good working relationship with all of them,” the source said. Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had also had a meeting with the president on Saturday and discussed with him the political situation in the country. Political observers here attach great significance to these meetings against the backdrop of the government’s confrontation with the army and judiciary. To them, the purpose of these meetings was to convey to the political leadership the prevailing worry and concern among the military ranks over the grave political crisis.