The contempt of court case against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, which was being expected to be decided by the end of this month, may take another month as the Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned hearing until April 12 on the request of the premier’s counsel, Aitzaz Ahsan.
A seven-judge special bench hearing the contempt case comprised Justice Nasirul Mulk, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Muhammad Ather Saeed. At the onset of the hearing, when Justice Mulk inquired Aitzaz about his health, he said his ailment had intensified because he took a heavy dose in pursuance of the court’s suggestion.
On March 26, Barrister Gohar, an associate of Aitzaz, had informed the court that Aitzaz was sick with food poisoning, thus was unable to travel and appear before the court. When he had sought adjournment, Justice Mulk had advised Aitzaz to take a heavy dose to ensure his presence before the court on Tuesday. When the court insisted, Aitzaz said he was unable to make a commitment to conclude his arguments in five days, as he had yet to extensively argue on Article 10-A of the constitution. “I have not yet commenced arguments on the wide scope of Article 10-A,” Aitzaz said. When he sought adjournment for the next week, Justice Mulk asked him to argue the case, as he said some members of the bench would not be available next week. Aitzaz, however, said at the moment he was not able to argue as he was feeling unwell.
During the hearing, Aitzaz complained that he read out in the newspapers that some judges were smiling when they heard that he was not feeling well. Justice Mulk however asked Aitzaz that he should not have taken it seriously as the judges had said it in lighter mood. To this, Aitzaz said he felt hurt, adding that judges could also fall sick. Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing until April 12. Later, talking to reporters, Aitzaz said he was not in a mood to linger on the case, as he had to appear before the superior courts in other cases. He said he wanted disposal of the case as early as possible. He said the prime minister had shown respect to the majesty of the court, adding that if he was convicted he could go behind the bars. He confirmed that Prime Minister Gilani and Justice Asif Khan Khosa, member of special bench, were classmates. He said it was not suitable for those judges to hear the case who issued show cause notice to the premier. He said if a notice was taken by the chief justice, the trial proceedings might be conducted by another bench. He said the court should imply its sixth option and send the matter to parliament. –
It is becoming apparent everyday that in the end aitzaz will tell the judges how to decide the case and they will comply. So far he has been able to dictate to this spineless bench everything that he wants and they have served him like his personal slaves. People are starting to question the abilities of this bench to take charge of the court.
Aitzaz – a cool guy…
Kamran, please watch your words. Higher judiciary is no more subservient to the executive as it once was. Had that been the case, neither the NRO would have been revoked nor Gillani would have faced the contempt notice. It is Aitzaz who is delaying the outcome of the case because has been amply rewarded for it. He has become a senator and also member of the parliamentary committee that in future would select the judges of the superior courts. Aitzaz is a saleable commodity and slippery like an eel. Watch his crooked antics.
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