ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Federal Law Minister Farooq H Naek discussed the government’s strategy for the NRO Implementation Case wherein the court had given direction to the premier to come up clear on writing letter to Swiss authorities for reopening of graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.Sources close to the ruling elite informed The Nation that the law minister also briefed the PM on the contempt of court law, which has been challenged in the apex court and a five-member bench would be taking it up today (Monday). The other issues they talked about included the local government polls in Fata and amendments in Cr PC to effectively tackle the theft of electricity, gas and petrol.The PPP sources informed that the central leadership had devised their strategy regarding the NRO Implementation Case but they were keeping it close to their chests and not sharing details even with the party parliamentarians. However, they said that the PPP leadership was still adamant at not writing to Swiss authorities come what may and the government’s strategy in the court would be to drag their feet as far as possible over the issue.Some close associates of PM Raja informed that on July 25, the government would request for more time for legal consultation on the matter and appointment of counsel in the case. If felt necessary, they would go for claiming the presidential immunity under article 248, thereby getting more time in this case as the court would be required to grant opportunity to the government counsel for giving his arguments, which could stretch up to several weeks.Sources in Prime Minister House confirmed that the matter of Swiss cases figured in the meeting and the PM directed the law minister to consult the allies and senior PPP lawmakers on the subject.According to a press release issued by the PM media office, the prime minister on this occasion said that the government believed in the supremacy of law and governing the country according to the dictates of the constitution wherein a clear role had been assigned to the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. He said that he not only firmly believed in the independence of judiciary but also stand for an independent judicial system.Raja referred to the Objectives Resolution, saying that it clearly states that the state authority shall be exercised by the chosen representatives of the people. The Objectives Resolution serves as a preface to the constitution and outlines the status and role of various state institutions, besides providing broader contours of the legislative sphere.The minister apprised the prime minister that the initiatives taken to introduce local government system in Fata would ensure people’s effective representation in the planning and execution of local development projects and provide reconciliation mechanism to settle local issues. It would also throw up local leadership, so important for the development of democratic culture and empowering people at the grass-roots, the minister said.Naek told Raja that progress on the anti-terrorism law was satisfactory and it would ensure the conviction of terrorists, which had been embarrassingly very low due to the defects in the existing law. The evidence presented in the court by prosecutors does not stand the defence on legal and technical grounds and resultantly hard core terrorists get scot-free, he said. The minister also told about the amendment in the existing law his ministry was working on to provide inexpensive and speedy justice to the people especially who are poor and involved in minor offences.The law minister said that the law to control the theft of electricity, gas and other services was being drafted on fast track basis. He said the instructions had been given to vigorously pursue the cases and get the court stays vacated at the earliest as these had stuck Wapda’s Rs1.3 billion.