Pakistan SC summons PM to appear on August 27 over Zardari graft case

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's combative Supreme Court today summoned Premier Raja Pervez Ashraf to appear before it on August 27 to face possible contempt charges for failing to revive graft cases against the President, a move that could lead to his disqualification like his predecessor.

It issued a show cause notice to Ashraf on a charge of contempt and ordered him to personally appear before it to explain why action should not be taken against him for refusing to act on its orders to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

A five-judge bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa issued the notice under the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003 and Article 204 of the Constitution, which too relates to contempt of court.

It observed that the Premier should comply with the court's repeated orders and approach Swiss authorities to reopen the cases against Zardari.

It said Ashraf should personally appear and explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.

Justice Khosa remarked it would be good if there is progress in the matter by the next hearing on August 27 or else the court would take action on its own.

The bench noted that the government had persistently and deliberately ignored its order to revive the graft cases.

The court pointed out that it had already issued an order when contempt of court proceedings were underway against former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani in which he was asked to disregard advice from the Law Ministry and approach the Swiss authorities without further consultations with legal experts.

The court said Gilani deliberately violated the court's orders and did not approach the Swiss authorities, leading to his disqualification after being convicted of contempt.

It observed that Ashraf was acting in the same manner.