[1]All eyes will be on Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Wednesday as the top court will decide the future of beleaguered Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani who could be convicted and disqualified for contempt of court.
“The decision can go either way so everyone (in the government) is tense,” a senior government official said.
On Monday, Mr Gilani 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 had been ordered by the top court to write to the Swiss authorities. Some experts believe that the SC can convict Mr Gilani for contempt of court which will be enough to oust him from power. Others argue that the PM will be able to keep his seat even after being convicted.
There are also reports that President Zardari will pardon Mr Gilani if he is convicted that will erase his sentence.
Former chief justice of Pakistan Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui believes that the President cannot pardon the Prime Minister because according to the Constitution, he is bound to adhere to the advice of PM.
Probed further on the possible disqualification of Mr Gilani, Justice Siddiqui said, “It depends on the court’s verdict. If the court simply declares him convicted, then the question of disqualification will arise before the speaker of the National Assembly, who will refer the question to the Election Commission of Pakistan within 30 days. The ECP, within 90 days, will de-seat him but if the court convicts him and disqualifies him, then no such procedure is required”.
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[1] http://archive.asianage.com/gilani0jpgcropdisplayjpg-784