New contempt law won't save Pak PM Ashraf, feel experts

Islamabad, July 13 (ANI): The Supreme Court's order in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case has triggered a fresh round of legal debate regarding the fate of the premier, and the role that the controversial new contempt legislation will play in saving him from disqualification.

According to former chief justice Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui, the new Contempt of Court (CoC) ordinance has no base, and the provision of immunity to political elites is not available in the constitution (except for the President in article 248 of the constitution), and maintained that it will be struck down, reports The Express Tribune.

"The new CoC ordinance is in conflict with Article 8 of the Constitution which elaborates equal treatment of all citizens," said retired Supreme Court judge Justice Wajihuddin.

Ahmad Riaz Sheikh's counsel in the NRO implementation case, Dr Basit, said the court will not linger on the proceedings and might disqualify Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on the next date if he disobeys its order like his predecessor.

Salman Akram Raja, Dr Mubashir Hassan's counsel in the NRO case, maintained that the court's fresh order clearly depicts the judiciary's inflexible mindset in this case. The letter will have to be written at all cost, therefore, he added. Regarding the new CoC ordinance, Raja said that, according to the procedural part of the new ordinance, PM Ashraf will have the right to appeal against the first show cause notice. (ANI)