Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. – File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Reiterating his stand on presidential immunity, Aitzaz Ahsan said that although many people dislike President Asif Ali Zardari, he is still an elected leader and hence cannot be presented before any court of law.

The Supreme Court on Thursday resumed hearing of the contempt of court case against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The seven-member larger bench including Justice Nasirul Mulk, Justice Asif Khosa, Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, Justice Ajaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ajaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmad and Justice Athar Syed was hearing the case.

Ahsan, the prime minister’s counsel, argued that under the Article 10A of the constitution the sitting bench was not eligible to hear the case.

He said transparent proceedings required that no person can be judge in his own case. In reply, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said that no single person but the whole bench was using its right to hear the case.

Justice Khosa said that all proceedings regarding contempt of court cases were only completed by the court.

Talking to the media outside the Supreme Court building, Ahsan said that after imposition of Article 10A, the century old law regarding contempt of court has been changed.

The case is not related to corruption and his arguments were very simple, he added. The court has adjourned the hearing till April 13 and Ahsan is expected to conclude his arguments till Wednesday.

Opinion

Editorial

Energy shock
Updated 05 May, 2026

Energy shock

The longer the crisis persists, the more profound its consequences will be.
Unchecked HIV
05 May, 2026

Unchecked HIV

PAKISTAN’S HIV surge is no longer a slow-burning public health concern. It is now a system failure unfolding in...
PSL thrills
05 May, 2026

PSL thrills

BY the end of it all, in front of fans who had been absent for almost the entire 11th season of the Pakistan Super...
Interlinked crises
Updated 04 May, 2026

Interlinked crises

The situation vis-à-vis the US-Israeli war on Iran remains tense, with hostilities likely to resume if the diplomatic process fails.
Climate readiness
04 May, 2026

Climate readiness

AS policymakers gather for the Breathe Pakistan conference this week, the urgency is hard to miss. Each year, such...
Kalash preservation
04 May, 2026

Kalash preservation

FOR centuries, the Kalash people have maintained a culture, way of life, language and belief system that is uniquely...