Swiss were asked to shun Zardari probe without SC knowledge: AG

Dawn.com Published June 26, 2013

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court was shocked to hear from Attorney General Munir A Malik on Wednesday that the previous government without the court's knowledge had sent a second letter to the Swiss authorities asking them to shun cases against President Zardari.

During proceedings of the NRO implementation case before the apex court, the Attorney General informed the bench that former Law Secretary Yasmin Abbasi had sent second letter to Swiss authorities on November 22, 2012, stating that the government was not interested in pursuing cases against President Asif Ali Zardari and urged the Swiss authorities to close the cases.

The first letter was sent to Swiss authorities on November 5, 2012, the draft of which was seen and approved by the apex court.

The attorney general informed the apex court that the cases were closed by Swiss authorities on 4 February this year.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry ordered an inquiry into the second letter which, according to him had rendered the first letter redundant.

Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry remarked that those responsible should be held accountable and would face contempt proceedings.

On this AG Munir Malik told the court that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry of the incident.

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Pakistani

Jun 26, 2013 05:17pm

What does MNS have to say about this? or MUK MUKA?

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Muneer bhai

Jun 26, 2013 05:34pm

Let it go. Zardari won. Please don't waste more time or money on this.

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Em Moosa

Jun 26, 2013 05:49pm

No doubt our system is totally corrupt either the country's president is involved in it or some one else. But why our judiciary is only targeting those who are not in her favorite and Sharif's files of full of corruption are being hidden under their laps. The justice should be across the board. If our judiciary was honest Sharifs could not reach to prime minister house and chief minister house of Punjab.

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Bakhtawer Bilal

Jun 26, 2013 05:55pm

kis ne sher ko lalkara. Well glad to hear the roar of honorable CJ after so many days.

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Abdul Basit Adeel

Jun 26, 2013 06:06pm

Still Mr. Zardari, sb pe bhari??? | PML-N should take some solid steps, if they are not afraid of their own fate as well.

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Qamar

Jun 26, 2013 06:12pm

The former Law Secretary (Yasmeen Abbasi - a Sindhi) wrote the letter and destroyed the record of such letter. She and the people that asked her to do it, should get the maximum punishment.

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Mohammed Imran

Jun 26, 2013 06:15pm

Pakistan has Curropt leaders net work... how we will correct this ? possible but very difficult...

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ashraf a jamal

Jun 26, 2013 06:16pm

Supreme Court and Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry should file a case against Nawaz Sharif, for expelling Pakistani General to India, also refuse there plane to land in Pakistan knowing the plane will be forced to land in India. Under such incidence personal involved in 1998 must be bared from office till the case is settled.

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ebrahim

Jun 26, 2013 06:23pm

Take proper action against the secretary along with the people who have forced her to write the letter, a mere apology will make Supreme Court redundant.

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malick

Jun 26, 2013 06:30pm

Looks PM is following the old avenues. Neither one Musharraf and Zardari are not going out and they can not go out. There should be action but why to rush on old avenues. PM and his expert team should follow the new streets for ENERGY and Terrorism most need. PM should impeach President and shift Musharraf to jail if he is smart PM.

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Syed Ahmed

Jun 26, 2013 06:34pm

For signing Gwadar port and Iranian Gas pipeline project Zardari should be honoured. Forget about the Swiss case, it is lost. Justice delayed justice denied - thanks SC.

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Sultan Alvi

Jun 26, 2013 06:43pm

Wah Zardari Wah, ustadon ka ustad. We salute you Sir for your uncanny acumen! Pakistan Zinda Bad. Geeay Bhutto, Geeay Zardari.

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khan

Jun 26, 2013 06:49pm

what!!!!!!!!!!!???????????

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Nasir Shah

Jun 26, 2013 07:00pm

This shows how smart we are in breaking the laws. In fact Pakistan is typical lawless state as 'Wild West' in Hollywood movies. I doubt that Zardari can be punished because he knows all the loop holes in our outdated legal system.

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Nizamuddin Ali

Jun 26, 2013 07:18pm

Mr. Nawaz Sharif is doing the same thing. NAB under PM office. A loyal munshi will close all the cases against Sharif and Sharif. Khail khatam, paisa hazam.

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Morad786

Jun 26, 2013 07:40pm

I think the CJ should focus on the law and order situation first and foremost and not just on particular party/politicians. Our big issue is the Terrorism and constant release of these retards back into society... The court should bring reforms within itself as the lawyers are behaving more and more like thugs and bullies! Will the CJ also trial all those who were part of Musharaff's regime and legalized his actions... What happened to CJ's own sons case...swept under the carpet I guess? What happened to the cases against the Sharif brothers?

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Aley

Jun 26, 2013 07:48pm

And the persecution begins typical PML style....PPP should pay the cost for its untimely and unthoughtful reconciliation.

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Ahmed bin Babar

Jun 26, 2013 08:02pm

The responsible should be sent to hell.

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umer ishaque khan

Jun 26, 2013 08:14pm

This is so wrong. After so many efforts and removel of a prime minister, a letter was written and now we found out that it was of no use. Now it is an opportunity for Nawaz government to look into the matter and resolve it ones and forever.

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Nadeem

Jun 26, 2013 08:45pm

Burn out the constitution that provide protection and security to currupt president. We all know who is he, but our courts cannot take action against him. What a shame.

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Ali

Jun 26, 2013 08:56pm

I believe, supreme court should have demanded record of full communication with the Swiss Authorities, very early in the game.

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Dr. D. Prithipaul

Jun 26, 2013 09:05pm

Why would the SC be shocked by the second letter making the first one redundant? Has not duplicity been a normal, overtly implemented modus operandi of Pakistani politics?

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NMA

Jun 26, 2013 10:02pm

Who cares about this or any other of the drama over the past 5 years........ At least Musharraf will be done for treason!!!!!!!

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ashraf a jamal

Jun 26, 2013 10:19pm

President Zardari. has authority to give extension, appoint people in government, thus must exercise his power. Will teach now so called Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif a lesson. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif fails to bring law and order in the country, that is Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif main job failure to do immediately must resign from the position. All Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is taking revenge, instead Islam call for forgiveness, as our profit gave teaching from personal show.

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shah

Jun 26, 2013 11:17pm

now what? the president of the country that is taking oaths from every other parliamentarian of the country cheats the supreme court! shows and sends one letter and than quietly orders another one to be sent out to close the first one!!! hahahahaha This is a president who proved to have no respect for justice and constitution! what do we do here Mr. Chief Justice?

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I. Ahmed

Jun 26, 2013 11:27pm

It is very strange that one the CJ of SC did not knew about the Swiss law and secondly he should have anticipated move from the government and should have told the Swiss authorities that the SC decision is final and binding. Showing surprise and anger only adds to the conspiracy theory!

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TUFAL KHAN

Jun 26, 2013 11:56pm

What a country!!

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Mazhar Hussain

Jun 27, 2013 12:01am

Cheaters - cheating the courts and the nation. Intellectually corrupt and dishonest public servants like Ms Yasmeen Abbasi along with other accomplices must be brought to justice. They are also Article 6 case. Shame on you Mr Zardari & your corrupt supporters.

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T.i.

Jun 27, 2013 01:20am

Anybody who thinks sitting president is not responsible for the contents of the letter must be naive. All means must be used to insure that he does not escape the wrath of justice. Otherwise, this revolving door of escape will stay open and people will loose all hopes. Oops, I think I am expecting little too much and forgot the new government is already making sure the revolving door stays open forever by curbing the authority of NAB.

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Nasir

Jun 27, 2013 03:50am

What about the Chief Justice himself??. How did he secure his seat. Should that not be questioned

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Moeen

Jun 27, 2013 04:45am

@Bakhtawer Bilal: Was the sher sleeping when the elections were being rigged??

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Shankar

Jun 27, 2013 06:16am

CJ, Please stop this worthless pursuit! It is beginning to demean your own dignity! Enough is enough! Let the country move on! The people of Pakistan have already punished PPP for all its omissions and commissions!

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fauz

Jun 27, 2013 06:31am

First, we should dance that the most corrupt person is still President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Second, Chief Justice knows how to give big statements only in media, Give me one example of any high ups who has been put to jail. Only I hear from him "case has been adjourned". There are hundred of corruption cases and none will be finalized until Qiamat. Main thing is that the whole pond is full of dirty fishes. Hammam mein sab nangey hain. Also what good Qaim Ali Shah did for Karachi and Sind lawlessness in his last tenure that he is re appointed. We must replace old horses with young and educated blood.

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MFK

Jun 27, 2013 06:37am

Tired of this circus....can the CJ please spend more time on dispensing justice....phir topi drama shuroo.

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Peer khan

Jun 27, 2013 07:46am

Why gov should ask Supreme Court ? Is thAt gov not by people by people for people. Why supreme ct has to but into all the matters of gov. Are they gov Munshi???

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zehri

Jun 27, 2013 09:05am

ex-secretary law yaseem abassi must go to jail for atleast 10 years and immediately

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Sameer

Jun 27, 2013 03:34pm

@Ali: And you think our dear Mr 100% wouldn't find a way around it? How else did you think that his government lasted 5 years.

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Sameer

Jun 27, 2013 03:39pm

@Morad786: I second your opinion.

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Sameer

Jun 27, 2013 03:38pm

@Nasir Shah: Funny but true :-). Greatest master mind of all times, Mr. 100%

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Sameer

Jun 27, 2013 03:44pm

@Sultan Alvi: I think he should write books for "Political Science" courses. Look at his history and you will see that he slowly managed to remove everyone from his way. Since his son didn't agree with him, he moved him aside too.

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Sameer

Jun 27, 2013 03:44pm

@Syed Ahmed: I just hope that Gawadar and Iran Gasline wasnt just a Political gimmic and that it really happens.

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Sameer

Jun 27, 2013 03:43pm

@ashraf a jamal: Unfortunately Mr. Musharaf is himself to blame for letting go 2 of his best catches. Mr. Sharif in 1999 Mr. Zardari with NRO Now his good deed is going to come back and bite him in the rear. I really feel for Mr. Musharaf. I was and still am his supporter. He just chose the wrong people around him and they led him to distruction.

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Sameer

Jun 27, 2013 03:48pm

@Bakhtawer Bilal: Roar of a traitor who signed the PCO when Mr. Musharaf came into power in 1999? How can a traitor hang another traitor?

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Arshad

Jun 27, 2013 04:00pm

President name should be placed on E.C.L.

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Sayeed Alatf Hussein

Jun 27, 2013 06:34pm

@shah: Confiscate all his assets and send him and all of his family to exile for ever.

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Sayeed Alatf Hussein

Jun 27, 2013 06:36pm

@ashraf a jamal: Jamal, i think you meant prophet and not profit. There givens is for people who repent. Zardari has repented. So he should be punished and that goes for all the corrupt politicians including Nawaz

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Sayeed Alatf Hussein

Jun 27, 2013 06:39pm

@Morad786: Well said bro

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Sayeed Alatf Hussein

Jun 27, 2013 06:43pm

@Muneer bhai: how many of these corrupt people are we going to for give and forget.

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Sayeed Alatf Hussein

Jun 27, 2013 06:54pm

Mr 10% has won. He is a master of his game. He has curved his own destiny. He married into the Bhuttos also most forcefully (according to his Mrs in her book) and had his brother in law his own wife eliminated to get to the President's house. So the CJ justice was na

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Gulbaz

Jun 28, 2013 08:54pm

@Sayeed Alatf Hussein: He is Mr. 100%

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