Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan on Sunday reiterated his stance that only the speaker of National Assembly could declare the prime minister as disqualified from his membership. Talking to the media, he said disqualification could not be attracted by mere framing of charges and the speaker had to first discern whether a member of parliament was punished by the court of law. “If the speaker reaches a conclusion that punishment was wrong, then the matter would end within 30 days,” he said, adding the Supreme Court had observed that disqualification issue could arise out. Responding to another question, Aitzaz said the decision could not deal with the presidential immunity as this office enjoys immunity under international laws.
No PPP PM will write Swiss letter: Gilani
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Sunday that no prime minister from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would write the letter to Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. Speaking to lawyers at his Lahore residence, Gilani said that only the Parliament could decide if he would remain the prime minister. Gilani reiterated that he would not resign due to any political pressure or to fulfill anyone’s wishes. Gilani added that until the detailed verdict was revealed, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif should keep his wishes repressed. He also said that Nawaz Sharif was confused and was now confusing politics too, adding, “I will actively reciprocate any kind of politics.” The prime minister added that certain elements were conspiring against him and he would not back down from any conspiracies.