The legal fraternity has termed the Supreme Court’s (SC) acceptance of draft of letter to be written to the Swiss authorities a good omen.
Talking to reporters on Wednesday, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan said according to Farooq Naik, the court had accepted the government’s stance. “Change in the court’s attitude is a good thing. The president will not be subjected to any trial in accordance with this letter and the court has accepted presidential immunity,” he added.
“What I had said in Yousaf Raza Gilani case in the court was also said by Farooq Naik and what the court had not accepted in the Gilani case it has accepted today,” Aitzaz said.
Yasin Azad, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said the legal fraternity held the decision in high esteem. “The NRO decision has been implemented and per the constitution the president enjoys immunity until he holds his office and he cannot be put to any trial,” he held.
Azad said the plundered money must be brought back to the country. “All the money stashed in off shore accounts should be brought back instead of targeting an individual,” he said.
The court had not demonstrated any flexibility, he said, adding that had the court shown flexibility, one prime minister would not have been punished. “New law minister took the stand and brought to end the crisis through compromise,” he added. Justice (r) Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui said the letter could have been written earlier but the government prolonged the issue to buy time.
“Mentioning of presidential immunity in the letter was like upholding government stance and court had accepted it,” he said.
“All barring President Zardari will be tried after the letter is written to the Swiss authorities,” he said.