A five-member bench of the Supreme Court on Monday granted more time till September 18 to the Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf to write letter to Swiss authorities for reopening graft cases against the President Asif Ali Zardari.
The court directed the prime minister to appear again before the court on September 18, 2012. Following adjournment of the hearing, the prime minister left the Supreme Court along with his entourage.
Earlier, Prime Minister Ashraf sought four-to-six-week time from the five-member bench, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, which began hearing of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case.
Appearing before the bench, the PM Raja said, “I have been coming with the former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on his court appearances. It is an honor for me to appear before the top court of the country.”
He said he needs at least four to six weeks time to file a rejoinder to the court. “I assumed the responsibilities as the premier at a time when the country is beset with crises and troubles.”
“This case triggered uncertain and precarious situation in the country and I wish to be a role-model that augments the judiciary’s respect,” the Prime Minister stressed.
Heading the five-member bench, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa remarked judiciary’s respect is manifested by implementing the court’s order not by just appearing before the court, adding that para-178 of the NRO verdict has directed the Prime Minister to write the letter to Swiss authorities to re-open graft cases.
Praying before to the court to grant him enough time so that the issue is resolved in a better manner, the Prime Minister Raja pleaded that “the government wants to resolve the issue in such a manner so that no slur is cast on the apex court.”
Justice Khosa said it was decided once and for all in the contempt case against former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani that the Prime Minister will implement the NRO ruling, adding the change of the premier did not change the order itself.
Requesting the court to withdraw the show-case notice served on him, Prime Minister Ashraf pleaded he is a political worker and that he is not purposely trying to delay implementation of court’s order but he has not focused on the case owing to the burgeoning government business.
“Though, I realize the case is pending before the court since two and half years,” he added.
Justice Khosa said the issue at hand is not as big as it has been projected as such.
Justice Khosa directed the premier to assign some person to write the letter if he is too busy to do the same. He also sought a firm commitment from the prime minister that the court’s order will be implemented in letter and spirit.
If no assurance is given towards the implementation of court’s ruling, then the court will take its own course, Justice Khosa said, adding the prime minister can write or designate some other person namely Farooq H. Naek to write a letter to Swiss authorities to condone the letter written by former Attorney General of Pakistan Malik Qayyum.
The prime minister prayed to the court to take back the show-cause notice as he does not want to go to China with the snub.
Justice Aijaz Chaudhry remarked, “If you (PM Raja) have come up with an open heart, then the issue will be resolved within no time. The court will take into account your good demeanor as well.”
Khosa queried the prime minister if he will implement the para-178 of the NRO verdict or not.
NRO implementation case: PM given three weeks to write letter
