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Published 10 Jan, 2012 10:00am

‘Unpleasant’ steps if govt fails to implement SC verdict by 16th

ISLAMABAD: Announcing its verdict in the NRO implementation case on Tuesday, Supreme Court's Justice Asif Saeed Khosa remarked that despite clear court orders, the government and the NAB were not serious about implementing court orders, DawnNews reported.

Justice Khosa said that the apex court was giving a last chance to the government to implement its verdict on the National Reconciliation Ordinance by Jan 16.

He said in case of non-implementation, the court would be forced to take certain steps which would not be "pleasant".

The court's order referred to six possible options to proceed with the case in case the government fails to implement its decision on the NRO. The options are listed in the judgment which can be read here.

Reading out the order, Justice Khosa said the court was disappointed that the government had not implemented its verdict on the National Reconciliation Ordinance.

He further said that the National Accountability Bureau’s chairman deliberately avoided action against Malik Qayyum and Adnan Khwaja.

Justice Khosa said that the law secretary placed more importance on foreign trips than the apex court and its proceedings.

The government and the NAB were not serious in implementing the orders and had not acted on those for over two years, Justice Khosa said, reading out the verdict.

He moreover referred to President Asif Ali Zardari and said that the president had, "in an interview, refused to accept the court's orders".

The prime minister and the law minister also publicly refused to accept the apex court's orders, Justice Khosa said, adding that the president and the prime minister preferred loyalty to party over loyalty to state.

He added that a wrong precedent is set when the government breaks the law.

Justice Khosa moreover said that the prime minister had violated his oath of office by not implementing the apex court's verdict on the NRO and that the court could declare him ineligible for the position.

Giving one last chance to the president and the prime minister, the court summoned the attorney-general on Jan 16 and adjourned the hearing.

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