Gilani will not seek Presidential pardon even if convicted in NRO case: Aitzaz Ahsan

Kabul, Feb 17 (ANI): Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will not seek a Presidential pardon even if the Supreme Court convicts him in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case, his counsel Aitzaz Ahsan has said.

"The prime minister will not advise the President to give him a pardon if convicted," The Express Tribune quoted Ahsan, as saying.

Ahsan explained the entire process by which Gilani could be forced to give up his seat in the assembly, and hence the Prime Minister's office as a result of his disqualification.

"The entire process could take months," he said.

Insisting that not all convictions result in an MNA disqualification, Ahsan said: "Once the verdict comes, the case will be put before the speaker of the national assembly, where the speaker will have 30 days from the time the resolution is moved to decide whether Gilani can be disqualified due to the verdict."

Even if the Speaker disqualifies Gilani, the matter would then has to be referred to the election commission, which would eventually decide within 90 days whether or not the verdict disqualifies Gilani as a member of the National Assembly (MNA).

The Prime Minister can challenge the Election commission's ruling in the high court.

In case the Speaker decides Gilani's verdict does not disqualify him, a writ petition can challenge this in the high court.

"I am hopeful that I can still persuade the Judges that the Prime Minister is not in contempt," Ahsan added.

Gilani has been given time till February 24 to present his witnesses before the Supreme Court over contempt of court charges in the National Reconciliation Ordinance ( NRO) case.

He has been excused from appearing before the Supreme Court on February 24, but he will have to testify on the issue on February 27. (ANI)