Pak PM to appear in court today, not likely to apologise

The much anticipated appearance of the Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in the Supreme Court on Thursday was preceded by indications that he was unlikely to tender any apology.

PM counsel, eminent jurist Aitzaz Ahsan, snapped, “ What resignation ? The Prime Minister has not committed any contempt of court”. Barrister Ahsan is held in high esteem and his choice as lawyer to represent the Prime Minister was interpreted as a desire to de-escalate the crisis. The lawyer is also seen as “pro-judiciary” and his presence in court, PPP hopes, would soften the court. The Prime Minister has also abandoned his cabinet’s decision, which directed all ministers to accompany him on Thursday to the court.

Gilani has been indicted for refusing to write a letter to Swiss authorities for reopening money laundering case against President Asif Ali Zardari. A seven-member bench of the apex court had issued notice to the Prime Minister to appear in person on January 19 and answer the charge that he had defied court orders on the letter. Barrister Ahsan is, however, known to hold the view that since the President enjoys immunity from criminal proceedings at home or abroad, no purpose would be served by writing a letter to Swiss authorities. But he is also known to have advised the Prime Minister that writing such a letter would help defuse the situation and satisfy the court. It remains to be seen if the PM gives any such commitment tomorrow.

The eminent jurist is also credited with averting a fresh crisis after the court suspended the licence of Babar Awan, a former law minister who was representing President Zardari in the Supreme Court. While the court had issued contempt notice to Awan after he publicly criticised the court, Awan provoked the court by pleading for more time to reply to the notice.

President Zardari last evening was on the verge of retaliating by inducting Awan into the ministry as the Law Minister.

When word reached Aitzaz Ahsan, the lawyer is said to have threatened to withdraw from the Prime Minister’s legal team if Awan were to be inducted into the ministry. The move was aborted following his intervention.