‘Can’t write to Swiss govt to reopen Zardari cases’

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In a move that could cost him his job, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday told the Supreme Court that he cannot write a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari as it would be a violation of the Constitution.

“The PM has submitted his written reply in the SC stating that he will not write to Swiss authority,” a court official said. “He submitted it through his counsel Aitzaz Ahsan,” the official added.

Mr Gilani had been ordered by the top court to write to the Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Zardari. He was directed to submit a written reply by March 19 or personally appear on March 21. Experts think the court can convict Mr Gilani of contempt of court which will be enough to oust him from power.

“The Prime Minister has tried to clear his position in the case and explained all the legal grounds not to write a letter to the Swiss government against President Zardari,” said the court official.

The seven-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk, in the last hearing had asked Mr Gilani to submit his written reply on March 19.

The Prime Minister was indicted for contempt of court after his failure to write a letter to the Swiss authorities requesting them to reopen closed graft cases against Mr Zardari.