Keeping in view the tone and mood of the Supreme Court and the views of legal wizards that the court may give a verdict against the ruling of the National Assembly’s speaker, the coalition partners have almost fine-tuned their strategy to counter the court’s verdict.
The three-member SC bench is likely to announce its verdict today (Tuesday) as Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Monday directed Attorney General Irfan Qadir to conclude his arguments. “After a careful evaluation of the entire situation, the coalition partners have decided that the supremacy of parliament would be protected and no institution would be allowed to overthrow the speaker’s ruling on the disqualification of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani,” a well-placed source informed Pakistan Today.
The source, requesting anonymity, said the government had two options out of which one would be chosen after the court announces its verdict.
“The government may decide either to hold an emergency joint sitting of parliament to set aside any court verdict against the speaker’s ruling… But if the situation deteriorates and goes out of control, the executive order to restore the judiciary may also be withdrawn,” said the source.
The source said the recent developments had made all the coalition partners rethink their previous stances about the judiciary and the revelation made by Malik Riaz against Dr Arslan Iftikhar had eroded the strong commitment of parties like the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement with the judiciary.
“Even the PML-Q and the MQM have voiced reservations against the conduct of Chief Justice Chaudhry and they are now inclined to stand by the PPP and the ANP leadership in case of a judgement against the NA speaker’s ruling,” said the source.
The source said in a recent meeting of heads of coalition parties, the coalition partners were informed by President Asif Ali Zardari that the leadership of the armed forces was also of the opinion that no action should be taken to destabilise the system.