Not unwilling to write letter but it’s unconstitutional: Kaira

E-Paper | June 14, 2026

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Federal Minister for Information and Qamar Zaman Kaira. — File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira claimed on Friday that he had never said the government would not write the letter to the Swiss authorities, adding that the government's stance has been that writing the letter was unconstitutional, DawnNews reported.

The Supreme Court on July 12 ruled that Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf must write to Swiss authorities for the reopening of cases against Asif Ali Zardari.

Speaking to media representatives, Kaira said that he was misquoted by a section of the media on his statement on the issue of writing a letter to the Swiss.

“I never said that the party’s stance was against writing the letter. I had said that the federal cabinet would decide on the issue,” he said.

The information minister said that his party respected all institutions of the country, including the judiciary.

He further said that the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) did not have any conflict with the judiciary.

“Pakistan People’s Party has given many sacrifices for democracy...all the institutions will have to work together to strengthen it,” Kaira said.

The government cannot accept any undemocratic behaviour in the country and the parliament will guard the system, he said.

The Supreme Court had on June 19 dismissed Yousuf Raza Gilani as prime minister after convicting him of contempt in April for refusing to reopen the multi-million-dollar cases against the president. After which, Raja Pervez Ashraf was elected as the new prime minister.

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dhk

Jul 13, 2012 05:49pm

I thought Supreme court was the ultimate authority to determine constitutionality, it is the one asking for this. Very funny to watch but unfortunately this is no sitcom.

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imtiaz

Jul 13, 2012 11:19am

get over it what will happen if they will be re elected and we will carry this matter for another 5 years. god bless pakistan

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UXMN RAJA

Jul 13, 2012 06:06pm

if writing a letter is unconstitutional then why do these people LEGISLATE AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION of 1973?

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Khalid Munir

Jul 13, 2012 01:29pm

How is this unconstitutional. Do you want to give immunity to people so that they can do whatever they want. There are couple of things to consider here. When was the crime commitment (otherwise you dont see money in swiss banks as a criminal act. You have to decide this you or the courts). Are you going to accept a criminal person as your President. If so, I salute you. Zardari doesnt accept that it is his money in swiss banks, therefore the question is if it is not his then whose money is that and why the Gov is reluctant to write a letter to swiss authorities. Dont you see anything wrong here. Dont want to say anything more here. It is up to you how you want to take your country (if you care about it beyond any political parties interests). I see PML (N) and others as much corrupt as current government and I dont support them.

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@SecularPakista1

Jul 13, 2012 01:30pm

For all his bluster and misrepresentations aisde, the PPP is in conflict iwth the judiciary and the people of Pakistan. When you allegedly loot $12 million from the people of Pakistan, you not rendering sacrifices for the people nor democracy. PPP is just another feudal party created by the feudals to protect the feudal interests by masquerading as servants of the people. For this party to survie and become a truly a people's party it will have to get rid of the blood sucking feudals. Until then they will have to try to talk their way out. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE AGE OF KNOWLEDGE..

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Zahid Raja

Jul 13, 2012 02:25pm

These midgets of circus playing at the tone of the most corrupt person in pakistan,who happens to be the president of this unfortunate country. These political Bafoons only interested in keeing the country in to a cougmire of corruption and inept. Have they ever thought of their actions represent a deep malicious intend and a very sad story of looting this poor and unfortunate nation. They need to be reminded that the people of Pakistan are fedup with their ignorance and arrogance.

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MMS

Jul 13, 2012 05:37pm

This was a case brought by Nawaz Sharif against Zardari during the nawaz government. The Supreme Court and Nawaz are in cahoots to make sure that Zardari is in check so that he does not win the election again. If they can put Zardari away then Nawaz and the court wil steal from Pakistan again as they once did before. I have said it before and I wll say it again all the politicians like Zardari, Nawaz, Khan, Chawdaries, Bhutto's, Bughtis, Mengal, Pagars should be forbidden to take part in any election. The first to go must be the Cj himself who thinks he is above the law, and uses the law as a offensive tool to justify his action.

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Ali

Jul 13, 2012 12:44pm

They just want to delay the process further and further, so they are going to make use of constitutions and law etc etc and will mingle with very minute details of what SC said and try to find out loop holes in SC's order. Simply, Zardari don't want the letter to be written because he knows that he is guilty.

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Nadeem Shah

Jul 13, 2012 12:39pm

Kuch Munafiq Bhi Mere Halqa E Ahbab Mein The Maine Bhi Unse Mohabbat Ki Adakari Ki Uss-se Phir Kabhi Maine Ishq Ka Daawa Na Kia Usne Ik Shart Laga Di Thi Wafadari Ki Dear Govt of Pakistan Rassi daraz honay ka matlab hai kay sudhar jao - na kay mazeed jurm kay murtakib ho jao. Your hollow statements wont make any sense because the Truth does not need an interpretation. Get out of the hole you are digging for yourself and leave the poor people of Pakistan.

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Hamid Abbasi

Jul 13, 2012 01:15pm

Comments and debates on court decisions so publicly tantamount to contempt of courts.Dis-satified and aggrieved parties take up the matter with larger bench,unfortunately govt.preferred to stay away.Why so fuss now?

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Nadeem

Jul 13, 2012 12:24pm

They are all shameless think about themselves and their interest while country goes to hell.PPP is the curse in the name of democracy.

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s khan

Jul 13, 2012 03:51pm

Tanoli i have yet to see 1 punjabi i repeat 1 punjabi who is not against a party from sindh. May be it is a genetic anomaly

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shazada zahid

Jul 13, 2012 03:24pm

Mr Kaira we are telling you that not opening the case and not writing a letter to the Swiss authorities is also unconstitutional - also unrepresentative. The people electing their representatives expect them to be honest and willing to uphold constitution of the country and by not writing the letter automatically disqualify the sitting members of parliament - do you understand Mr Kaira?

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asim

Jul 13, 2012 02:56pm

Because they know what is or was in the account. So better sacrifice lambs one after another.

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The Long White Cloud

Jul 13, 2012 10:36am

Sorry NK you are wrong. Firstly, the President came into power under an unconstitutional NRO - therefore the law pertains to the condition that existed prior. Secondly, the government never asked for the immunity to be activated. Thirdly anything that is repugnant to the constitution is unlawful. Stealing money from the people of Pakistan is unlawful. Finally it is up to the Supreme court to decide what is constitutional or otherwise. They say the letter must be written so the government must implement their direction. End of story.

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Ahmed Jabbar

Jul 13, 2012 01:19pm

WHAT CAN BE MORE CONSITUTIONALTHAN WRITTING A LETTER TO SWISS AUTHORITY TO GET LOOTED WEALTH BACK TO THIS COUNTRY AS THIS WEALTH BELONG TO POOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED OF PWER,GAS,MEDICAL TREATMENTS,SHELTER and ATLEAST ONE PROPER MEAL A DAY. TALKING ABOUT CONSITUTION CREATED BY ZARDARI AND 40 THIEVES IS ANOTHER CRIME.

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N..K

Jul 13, 2012 10:02am

writing a letter against country's own president is unconstitutional and not accepting SC is unconstitutional too !!!!

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Abdul Waheed

Jul 13, 2012 02:08pm

It is not the matter of writing letter. It is the issue of personal egos of President and CJ. Presidency considers that Head of the State enjoys immunity and if they write letter they will surrender the powers of Presidency. First the weak political government surrendered many powers to judiciary. They dismissed more than 100 judges on the directive of CJ, removed 02 Chairmen NAB, PG NAB, DGs FIA, Attorney Generals, Secretary Law but they resisted to surrender the immunity of Head of State. It seems to be now the strategy of government to keep engage the SC in the matter of writing letter even if 3-4 Prime Ministers are sacrificed. It will will them political benefit and exhaust SC to take further action.

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SMHZ

Jul 13, 2012 01:59pm

& constitution is made by Parliament, not by SC!

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Husain Jan

Jul 13, 2012 11:26am

Just taking refuge behind constitution. In any case, even if there is immunity, even then it is against all norms because the constitution itself says that No law will be framed which is against Islamic teachings. And according to Islam, every one is equal to law. So, very much unislamic and undesirable indeed.

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Sadia

Jul 13, 2012 11:17am

its simple worst of democracy we have.. One of the 4 top money laundering suspect is our President...what else can one expect:(

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Neera

Jul 13, 2012 11:10am

A good excuse - never say

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Zero

Jul 13, 2012 11:04am

Absolutely .. 100% correct .. couldn't have been said better!

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Trillion

Jul 13, 2012 11:05am

Kaira, the smooth talker!

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Noor M

Jul 13, 2012 11:02am

The SC CJ should be impeached by Parliament. He is behaving as All-in-One ruler.

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adnan

Jul 13, 2012 10:59am

nothing is unconstituional ... Nothing is above than ur home land;s interests ..

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W.Sarmad Khan

Jul 13, 2012 10:39am

Khan Sahib. Your one line sentence said it all.

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Haroon

Jul 13, 2012 10:39am

Only Supreme Court decides whether its constitutional. Not you or me and anyone else. And Supreme Court has decided already.

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Niaz

Jul 13, 2012 10:27am

SC can't order to write unconstitutionally! The country's constitution is supreme not SC or Presidency!

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harkol

Jul 13, 2012 10:27am

The govt. should simply write a letter to swiss saying the Pak SC has ordered them to write to swiss govt. asking for prosecution of Zardari, while the govt. believes he enjoys immunity from prosecution. It is just statement of facts, and SC can't literally dictate the letter to a PM?? If CJ did so, he'd be a fit case to be hospitalized.

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muzammil ullah khan

Jul 13, 2012 10:23am

why cant they just write the letter and get it over with ?

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SMHZ

Jul 13, 2012 01:58pm

CJ also took oath under PCO, was it legal?

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Abdul Waheed

Jul 13, 2012 01:58pm

Since he became CJ in 2005, he has been confronting with other institutions, has become a political player, want to grasp powers of executive and parliament and consider himself omnipotent in all matters. His desire has caused huge damage to the country especially economy.

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HASHIM KARIMH

Jul 13, 2012 12:14pm

KAIRA DONT BE THAT MUCH UNFAITHFUL TO NATION. ZARDARI WILL THROW YOU OUT ONCE HE GETS WHAT HE WANTS FROM YOU. HE HAS PAID YOUR RENTING CHARGES BUT DO YOU THINK THAT IS ENOUGH WHEN DECEIVING POOR PEOPLE. IS WRITING A LETTER TO BRING BACK LOOTED WEALTH UNCONSTITUTIONAL? IN FACT HAS TO BE MORE CONSTITUTIONAL. HAVE FEAR OF ALLAH.THINK OF PEOPLE SLEPING ON STREET EATING GARBAGE.

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Rauf

Jul 13, 2012 12:03pm

Why not ask the SC to rule specifically if writing the letter would be unconstitutional....and settle the argument

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M A K Tanoli

Jul 13, 2012 11:39am

If government is adamant , SC is inflexible too. SC has pursued just one case in last so many years, and even never bothered about other beneficiaries of NRO, one of them has now made record of longest serving provincial governor in country`s history. Results of this approach are obvious now: clash of institutions, imminent destruction of system and a suffering general public.

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Million $ Question

Jul 13, 2012 02:35pm

It's a million dollar question - why court is asking someone to act unconstitutionally? Constitution was made to bring discipline, its a process by which the whole country moves. People may or may not have faith in religion but should have faith in constitution, so that the country can move forward and become strong. So now on the Million $$ question - why no words are coming out from Pakistan's President? why court not order probe or investigation and can ask Swiss authority through legal / judicioury process channel. For eg if you want to ask a criminal from other country - I guess Prime Minister doesn't write a letter, it's the investigating agencies which have protocols to bring the culprit in. Similarly if constitution needs an amendment, that can be done too - the only problem is who will do that - Mr. President???

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Mohsin

Jul 13, 2012 02:32pm

All what the the incumbent government has done is mis-use public money, break public trust and play with Pakistani's feeling. They're setting a great example that all politicians are above law and the rest of Pakistan is under.

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Muhammad Alvi

Jul 13, 2012 01:40pm

I agree with every thing that you said above. Just write the letter that SC has ordered and avoid all the controversy. PPP is not writing the letter because the case against Zardari is real. It is OK to disagree with SC, but not to obey SC's order is crime. If we disagree with SC, then the SC is right. That's the way system works.

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