Aitzaz Ahsen, counsel for Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in the contempt case against him, on Thursday said President Asif Ali Zardari was a constitutionally elected head of state and enjoyed absolute immunity under international law, thus he could not be presented before a Swiss magistrate for trial.
Talking to reporters at the Supreme Court after adjournment of the contempt case against Gilani, Aitzaz said he was concentrating his arguments on a specific point to change the opinion of the judges about writing to the Swiss authorities for reopening graft case against President Zardari.
He said under Article 10-A, any judge, who initiated a case and framed charge against anyone in any contempt of court case‚ could not hear the very case. He said Zardari was a constitutionally elected president, thus he could not be left at the mercy of any foreign court because he enjoyed immunity under the international law. To a query, he said his arguments were simple and to the point. He said he would try to conclude his arguments by Wednesday, as asked by the court. He said the case had nothing to do with corruption, instead it was a matter related to the constitution. Whatever would be the decision of the Supreme Court in the case, it would be implemented, he added. He said the US saved Raymond Davis who took innocent lives in Pakistan, while “we are hell bent to surrender our president to a Swiss magistrate”.
President can’t be presented before Swiss magistrate: Aitzaz
