Political Crisis Likely To Deepen In Pakistan

Islamabad, April 29, IRNA – The decision of Supreme Court convicting the Prime Minister is likely to deepen political crisis in Pakistan as the main opposition party has mounted pressure on the PM Gilani to resign. On the other hand Yusuf Raza Gilani has vowed to continue and challenged the opposition to bring a no-trust motion against him, saying nobody can remove him from his office. Soon after the court’s pronouncement, he chaired a cabinet meeting that had extended him full support and upheld this view. Angry workers of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party organized protests in different parts of Pakistan after the Supreme Court convicted PM Gilani. The seven-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk held Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani guilty of contempt of court, on Thursday, for his refusal to write to the Swiss authorities to reopen cases of corruption against President Asif Ali Zardari. Gilani had refused to accept the court’s orders, saying the President enjoys immunity in Pakistan and abroad. Gilani had appeared in the apex court twice before and had decided to fight the case. The Prime Minister has always insisted during the proceedings that he had done nothing against the government's rules of business. Political observers believe that the case was part of a stand-off between the government and the highest judiciary. Legal opinions differ on the judgment’s implications, especially with regard to the matter of the prime minister’s disqualification as a parliamentarian and head of the executive. Official sources said that President Asif Ali Zardari has also convened a meeting of senior ruling party leaders and coalition partners to discuss the fast emerging political development after the court’s verdict. Cabinet Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the Prime Minister will file review appeal against the apex court’s order. Legal experts say that the Prime Minister has the right to file review appeal but some of them argue that the Prime Minister must step down after conviction. Main opposition leader in Pakistan has reiterated call on Prime Minister to step down after having been convicted by the Supreme Court and hinted a long march on Islamabad. Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) party and former Prime Minister said Gilani is no longer eligible to hold office. All corruption cases had been withdrawn after the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party of President Zardari signed a deal with Pervez Musharraf in 2007 after nearly a year of secret talks. Around 8000 people, including President Zardari, his slain spouse and two times Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, other politicians and government officers were benefited from the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). In 2009, the Supreme Court overturned the amnesty law which protected President The opposition lawmakers have also staged walkout of the National Assembly’s session as the Prime Minister entered the house. Opposition leader and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan asked Prime Minister to resign from his post, after being convicted. Khan has said there was no moral justification left for Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to hold his office any longer. Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Saeed Munawar Hassan said Yusuf Raza Gilani should resign as Prime Minister of Pakistan after he was convicted in contempt case./end