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Pakistani PM asked to re-open graft cases against President

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 8, IRNA -- Pakistan's top court on Thursday ordered Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to write letter to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari without taking advice and submit a report to the apex court on March 21.

The orders were issued by a seven-member bench as the apex court resumed hearing contempt case against Prime Minister Gilani. The court has already formally charged the Prime Minister of contempt of court and legal experts say that he could be jailed and de-seated.

The government has so far refused to write to Swiss authorities as the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party insists that the President enjoys immunity in and outside the country under the constitution.

President Zardari also said in a TV interview few months ago that writing a letter to Swiss authorities would amount to put grave of his slain spouse and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on trial.

The country's anti-corruption bureau says that millions of dollars have been transferred to Swiss banks.

The opposition alleges that the money in Swiss banks belong to President Zardari and Benazir Bhutto, who was killed in a suicide attack and firing in December 2007.

The apex court also said in its orders that the contempt hearing would continue against the Prime Minister as he is reluctant to obey the court’s previous orders.

The judges also ordered the Attorney General to keep the court informed about any progress on the orders.

Despite the Supreme Court's orders, there had been no indications by the Prime Minister’s defence lawyer, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, to write to the Swiss authorities.

The court observed that clear orders were issued to the Prime Minister as the first order was defied, as the Prime Minister Gilani, being the chief executive of the country is wholly responsible for the implementation.

The court ordered the PM Gilani to produce the implementation report before March 21.

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 80030701