National

President enjoys complete immunity in criminal cases: Aitzaz

January 23, 2012

192

Former President of Supreme Court Bar Association and PPP leader Barrister Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan has said that the president enjoys complete immunity in criminal cases and the president does not need to approach the court in this regard.Talking to media at Lahore High Court on Monday, he said that the president enjoyed immunity due to his office and it would be available till he was in office.He said that Article 248 of the Constitution could be objectionable, however, the parliament had the authority to change it through constitutional amendment.
Sharply reacting on Justice ® Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday’s interview on a private TV Channel, Aitzaz said that he should not give such an interview. “Justice Ramday started politics before completion of his two years period after retirement,” he added.
Aitzaz said that he could tell it also that buildings of Lahore speaks volume of Ramday’s one sided actions.
He said that it was everybody’s constitutional right to hire a counsel of his choice.

11 COMMENTS

Multan Province January 23, 2012 at 20:45

True legal position.
tariq January 23, 2012 at 21:32

My question to Mr. Ahsan is:
Whether State is precluded from collecting evidence of wrong doing againtst a sitting president? Does State has the right to get its ducks in a row? Mr. Asan's has a point that sitting president enjoys immunity against prosecution but in my humble opinion his immunity does not in anyway restrict state from gathering evidence againt a corrupt or for that matter a very corrupt president.
asim January 23, 2012 at 21:33

Aitzaz what is the use of your education?Whats the difference between you and an illiterate person?
- Shahid Kureshi January 23, 2012 at 22:58
  
  The illiterate person atleast has an intelligent look on his face.
tariq January 23, 2012 at 22:12

Mr. Ahsan no one disputes your prerogative to dispense legal advise to a client or right to choose your clients to represent in a court of law or your right to act as spokesperson for anyone. i do not agree that president's right to immunity enshrined in constitution is discriminatory as you would recall that most of the presidents and soverigns enjoy this right. However, you have to realize that PERCEPTION against your client prime minister and mr. presient is that they are extremely CORRUPT and INCOMPETENT and have no qualms about it . people are just venting their frustration. It is human nature to be vitriolic when lacking ability to change one's lot.
tariq January 23, 2012 at 22:19

Mr. Admin I trust you do not understand what I am writing. i am not sure why do you think it is offensive and not worth printing.
The Awkward moment when Zardari says, " Qoum ki duaon se ab mai theek hun " January 23, 2012 at 22:22

what a joke! The Awkward moment when Zardari says, ” Qoum ki duaon se ab mai theek hun ”
zafar kalanauri January 23, 2012 at 23:02

Fully agreed with Aitzaz Ahsan's interpretation.
Suerly he is the best lawyer in Pakistan.
Dr.M.M.Khan January 24, 2012 at 01:09

Mr. Aitzaz Hussein can always be counted on save the country,s bacon in troubled times. First he houndes Musharaf out of the country, then he helps to restore chief justice to his position and now he is about to rescue the prime minister. The writing is on the wall about the next client who allegedly has no case to answer. Can,t the supreme court hire him as a consultant and discuss with him important cases before wasting tax payers money. He has yet to lose a legal argument. I take my hat off to you Mr Ahsan. Could it be the lack of other legal minds which makes you a star.
Hanif Awan January 24, 2012 at 10:35

Very correct.
Ameera Baidar January 24, 2012 at 16:53

yes he enjoys complete freedom in criminal cases, but up til now writing letter as a “civil” party has nothing to do with crime. President does not enjoy immunity in civil cases. If CJ doesn’t know about the implications of Art 248? huh?