Gilani's case may exacerbate govt, judiciary standoff: Media
The apex court has been pressuring the Pakistan People's Party-led government to reopen the cases against Zardari since December 2009, when it struck down a graft amnesty issued by former dictator Pervez Musharraf.
By PTI | Updated:
Islamabad: The Supreme Court’s decision to indict Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for contempt could exacerbate the standoff between the government and the judiciary and it is in the interest of both sides to settle the matter speedily, the Pakistani media said today.
Gilani was formally charged with contempt of court yesterday for disobeying the apex court's orders to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari in Switzerland and his trial is set to begin on February 28.
The premier pleaded not guilty and said he would contest the charges but opposition parties have called on him to resign.
The first-ever indictment of a serving premier for contempt dominated Pakistani dailies today.
“SC orders Pak PM’s trial”, read the banner headline on the front page of The News while the Daily Times headlined its report “The countdown begins”.
The news reports gave a blow-by-blow account of Gilani’s second appearance in the apex court.
In its editorial ‘PM charged’, the influential Dawn newspaper said: “A sitting prime minister has been charged with contempt of court, effectively pitting the people’s court against the judiciary.”
Though both sides have been trying to avoid the perception that it is targeting the other, “this relative civility could not have averted the impasse they have reached by sticking to their guns,” it said.
The apex court has been pressuring the Pakistan People's Party-led government to reopen the cases against Zardari since December 2009, when it struck down a graft amnesty issued by former dictator Pervez Musharraf.
The government has refused to act, saying the President enjoys complete immunity in Pakistan and abroad.
Gilani was formally charged with contempt of court yesterday for disobeying the apex court's orders to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari in Switzerland and his trial is set to begin on February 28.
The premier pleaded not guilty and said he would contest the charges but opposition parties have called on him to resign.
The first-ever indictment of a serving premier for contempt dominated Pakistani dailies today.
“SC orders Pak PM’s trial”, read the banner headline on the front page of The News while the Daily Times headlined its report “The countdown begins”.
The news reports gave a blow-by-blow account of Gilani’s second appearance in the apex court.
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In its editorial ‘PM charged’, the influential Dawn newspaper said: “A sitting prime minister has been charged with contempt of court, effectively pitting the people’s court against the judiciary.”
Though both sides have been trying to avoid the perception that it is targeting the other, “this relative civility could not have averted the impasse they have reached by sticking to their guns,” it said.
The apex court has been pressuring the Pakistan People's Party-led government to reopen the cases against Zardari since December 2009, when it struck down a graft amnesty issued by former dictator Pervez Musharraf.
The government has refused to act, saying the President enjoys complete immunity in Pakistan and abroad.
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