Dual office case: LHC to decide on presidential immunity
Lahore High Court. — File photo
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) bench hearing the case of dual offices held by President Asif Ali Zardari decided on Thursday to focus on the question of presidential immunity before issuing any order, DawnNews reported.
The bench led by LHC Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial resumed the hearing of the case.
While presenting his argument, the petitioner, Advocate A.K. Dogar, said that former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was removed from his post for committing contempt of court. He further said that similarly President Zardari should also be issued a notice for contempt of court.
The counsel for the government, Wasim Sajjad told the court that the president was immune to court proceedings, due to which, he could not be charged with contempt of court.
He added that the court had not ordered the president to leave his dual offices but rather only expressed expectations that he would leave one of the held offices.
The bench remarked that it was later clarified that the court’s orders should be implemented. However, the question of whether the president has immunity or not must be decided first.
Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing until Friday.
Speaking to media representatives after the hearing, Wasim Sajjad said that the president could not be charged on the basis of the expression of the bench’s expectations. Therefore, no appeal was filed since the bench’s decision appeared ambiguous.
He further added that a decision that could be interpreted in two different ways did not come into the category of contempt of court.
it is common sense and illegal to hold dual office.
Judicial activism in Pakistan is just insane. Judiciary is creating extreme resistance in state’s day to day operations. Instead of interfering in Government and administration, had they focussed on their own institution they would had a big opportunity to fix the loop holes and shortcomings.
So by your logic the Government should be allowed to do whatever it wants? Just like Adolf Hittler who murdered millions in the name of “Democracy”. It is an international norm that where there is a clash between democracy and Justice it is Justice which ought to prevail. Justice and Justice alone is Supreme.
I am a common man but the first thing that strike me after reading the news was that “Why an issue of national level, as the President’s office is considered, is being heard by LHC. It should be heard by the Supreme Court. Atleast I find it awkward. can anyone help me out..
The Lahore High Court is an activist court. It is out there always looking for creating hurdles for the PPP government, Sindh, KPK and Balochistan. .
Thats because the PPP governtment wants to try to get away with Crimes against Humanity such as corruption which causes the death of Thousand due to poverty, decrepid hospitals, decrepid schools, deseases, starvation, etc. Jusice is Islamic and PPP is unislamic.