Pakistan SC orders Gilani to write to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases

ISLAMABAD: In deepening tensions between the government and the judiciary, the Pakistan's Supreme Court has issued an ultimatum to embattled to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani directing him to "immediately" write to Swiss authorities to revive graft cases against the President.

The seven-judge bench led by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk said yesterday that Gilani should write a letter to the Swiss authorities without waiting to seek the advice of his legal experts.

The bench further directed Gilani to submit a report giving details of the action taken by him at the next hearing on March 21. Attorney General of Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq was directed to convey the directives of the Supreme Court to the premier "immediately".

It issued the directive while hearing a case regarding the implementation of its earlier order striking down a graft amnesty that had benefited President Asif Ali Zardari and over 8,000 others.

In the past, the premier has told the court that his legal advisors had informed him that the cases against Zardari could not be revived as the constitution provides immunity to the President.

The same seven-judge bench also took up contempt proceedings initiated against Gilani for failing to act on the court's orders to reopen cases against Zardari.

Emerging from the hearing, Gilani's lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan told reporters that the bench had asked the premier to submit a detailed statement by March 19 or to appear in person and record his statement on March 21, failing which final arguments would get underway.

The bench issued this direction after the Attorney General, the prosecutor for the contempt case, cross-examined Cabinet Secretary Nargis Sethi, who is appearing as a witness.