Zardari case: Pervez Ashraf feels heat

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New Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf felt the heat right after sitting on the hot seat as the top court announced it will hear the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case
on Wednesday — the same case that led to the disqualification of Yousaf Raza Gilani for not reopening corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari as directed by the Supreme Court.

Mr Gilani was sent packing on Tuesday when he repeatedly refused to implement the court’s order. The court convicted him for contempt of court in April and later disqualified him as member of the parliament. Mr Ashraf was chosen by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to replace him and he was elected on Friday by Parliament by a majority vote.

Before his election as the PM, Mr Ashraf has publically said that no PPP man will every write a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Zardari — who is also the PPP cochairman.

He also made his mind clear when he addressed the National Assembly after his election as he paid
tributes to Mr Gilani for his 'sacrifice' and his determination to 'safeguard the constitution'.

According to the Supreme Court’s cause list for next week, a three judge bench, led by Justice Nasirul Mulk, will resume hearing the NRO implementation case on June 27.

A judicial notice is expected to be served upon the new Premier on June 27 to implement the directives
contained in paragraphs 177 and 178 of the NRO judgment, regarding writing a letter to Swiss authorities to reopen cases against Mr Zardari.

On April 26, a seven judge bench of the apex court, which was also headed by Justice Mulk, awarded Mr Gilani a 37-second punishment. The court had made it clear to Mr Gilani that the NRO verdict penned down by the full court on December 16, 2009, had given categorical directions in paragraphs 177 and 178 regarding writing a letter to Swiss authorities.

Analysts fear another judiciary-executive showdown in the coming weeks as the new PM will certainly not implement the SC order.