Gilani contempt case: Ahsan blames law ministry for putting PM in a spot

Islamabad, Feb 2 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan has blamed the law ministry for putting the former in a spot in connection with the Supreme Court Contempt notice case.

Ahsan had stressed in the last hearing that Gilani did not take the decision of not writing the letter to Swiss authorities himself, but was advised by the law ministry to take the step.

During today's hearing, Ahsan argued that following the chief justice's earlier order, Gilani was supposed to seek advice from the Law Ministry and the Human Rights Division before taking any action, and the advice he received in the NRO implementation case was not in favour of the court's decision.

"In any civil or military issue, the government has to consult the Law, Justice and Human Rights Division. According to the Rules of Business 1973, the prime minister should have consultations before taking any decision," The Express Tribune quoted him, as saying.

Justice Nasirul Mulk, heading the nine-member bench, said that Gilani was efficient in listening to the Law Ministry and the Human Rights Division, but did not give due consideration to the court's orders.

"The prime minister has the right to turn down Law Ministry's advice," Justice Athar pointed out.

He also stated that the Swiss court looking into the matter had itself closed the case, saying that there was no adequate evidence. (ANI)