National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza has only three days left to decide the fate of the political career of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani vis-à-vis the SC contempt case.
Sources said if the speaker did not decide on the qualification or disqualification of the prime minister in due time, the reference against him would ultimately be transferred to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The reference would be considered transferred automatically to the ECP under article 63(2) and 63(3), while the ECP would be bound to make a decision within 90 days.
Furthermore, the sources said if the speaker nullified the reference against the prime minister and gave a ruling that Gilani was not disqualified from the membership of the National Assembly, the reference would automatically be removed and Gilani would complete his tenure as the prime minister of Pakistan.
In its detailed judgement, the Supreme Court had convicted Gilani for contempt of court.
I don't envy the Speaker. She is in no win situation! If she talks the talk she has to walk the walk i.e support the judiciary. If she decides to nullify the ruling she will be rubbing the judiciary's nose in dust and will be insulting the highest authority in the country. If she does nothing and pass the buck on she will be regarded as lacking guts.
Whole nation is now watching her. There is no room for party loyalties her. Judiciary cannot be sidelined. Good luck. Let it not be said that she did not prove equal to the task!
Comments are closed.