Apex court exempts PM to appear; govt directs Naek to withdraw Malik Qayyum letter

IMAD-UDDIN

KARACHI: Supreme Court of Pakistan exempted Prime Minster Raja Pervez Ashraf to appear before the court in National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case, media reported on Tuesday.

According to the details, Prime Minister requested the court to exempt him from court appearances.

Five member bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, other member includes Justice Ejaz Afzal, Justice Ejaz Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Athar Saeed.

Prime Minister Raja pervez Ashraf said that that government directed the Law Minister Farooq H Naek to withdraw Malik Qayyum letter.

Apex court granted one week to PM in NRO implementation case.  Hearing adjourned till September 25.

“I want to be remembered with good name in history”, PM said adding that confidence matter will be resolved.

Justice Khosa said that time will not be granted, government will present draft within two days before the Court. Letter can be draft within two days, Justice Khosa added. You (PM) agreed to take important steps today, Justice Khosa added.

Justice Khosa presented four steps methodology to write letter to Swiss authorities to PM and said matter will be resolved as soon as possible.

1) Prime Minister would authorise someone in writing to write the letter.

2) Content of the letter should satisfy the court.

3) Subsequently the letter is sent.

4) Court is informed once the letter is sent.

Justice Khosa directed PM Raja that the matter of the letter be resolved by October 2.

Earlier this morning, PM arrived in Supreme Court without protocol. Pakistan People party (PPP) leaders and coalition partners accompanied with the premier.

Leaders from allied parties include Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Governor Punjab Sardar Latif Khosa, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Law Minister Farooq H Naek, MQM leader Farooq Sattar, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour.

It is pertinent to mention here that PPP fifth Prime Minister appeared before the Apex court and Raja Pervez Ashraf appeared 2nd time.

PPP and coalition partners held meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday night. The decision was taken in a meeting that premier would appear before the court. The meeting was co-chaired by Co-Chairman PPP President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.

On August 27, Supreme Court granted three weeks to PM to take steps in NRO implementation case. On August 8, Apex court issue show cause notice to PM Raja for not implementing court order of writing a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen case against President Aif Ali Zardari.