LAHORE – Jurists in the City have said that decision on the contempt matter against the Prime Minster should not be protracted as the issue is keeping the nation on the edge besides putting a question mark on the office of the PM after his indictment in NRO issue.
“Most of the facts have already been known to the people — through the statements of the Premier and the media reports. Therefore an early decision on the matter is expected by everyone,” former SCBA President Muhammad Akram Shaikh said while talking to TheNation on Monday. A section led by another former LHCBA President Ahmad Awais, however, said that it appears from the court’s mood and the government’s obduracy on not writing to the Swiss court that the former is guarding its credibility as an independent institution that knows how to get its decisions implemented while the latter is striving to derive political dividend out of the situation.
Akram Sheikh said the after the prime minister has pleaded not guilty the court could have questioned him for not implementing the NRO verdict and his defence on this query could have much curtailed the proceeding even closing them the same day. Mr Sheikh supports an earliest possible decision for relaxing nerves of the people which much tense given the situation.
Former Supreme Court Judge Wajihuddin Ahmad said when a contemner admits he cannot act upon the court’s order, the issue is clear. “After the admission, the conviction should not take too much time.” However he said that in the instant case, the court wants to give fair opportunity to the PM, in addition to restricting the government from taking the benefit of becoming a political martyr.  On the question of presidential pardon under article 45 of the Constitution against the court order in a criminal case, he said under this provision, punishment of jail or fine can be reprieved and not the conviction which continues to hold the field for the purpose of disqualification of the PM, which means he will not only lose the office but also be not able to contest elections for five years. Former Attorney General Anwar Mansoor said that on February 16 the prosecution has to present the evidence, which may include press reports and statements of the Prime Minister and his aides. “That will determine the gravity of the contempt of the court. On the stand the PM took previously that he acted on the advice on his aide. This stand does not appear holding much water as the final decision is of the PM himself, although he receives advice.”
Former Law Minister S.M Zafar said the question involved is very simple, that the executive is not writing a letter for reopening the graft cases, therefore not a lengthy proceeding is expected. He said the early decision will also hugely serve the country and the nation. He said till decision, a question will continue to hit the PM office as he has been indicted and his office suspending in the air and despondency in the masses increasing in this situation.