No PPP premier will write Swiss letter: Gilani

Islamabad, Apr 30 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was convicted of contempt by the Supreme court last week, once again struck a defiant note by saying that no prime minister from the Pakistan People's Party would write a letter to authorities in Switzerland to seek a reopening of graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Gilani was convicted for his refusal to comply with an apex court order, which asked the government to write to the Swiss authorities following the nullification of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

Gilani reiterated his decision to appeal against the verdict of the apex court, as "a contempt of court law does not exist in the country".

However, he said, disqualifying him as prime minister was a prerogative of parliament "which is the supreme body of the country".

Prime Minister Gilani also reacted sharply to calls from the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) for him to step down immediately. He challenged the party, once again, to bring a no-confidence movement against him in parliament.

Gilani went on to question the PML-N chief's mental condition, and said Nawaz Sharif was 'confused' and was now confusing politics too.

"It is a misfortune for the country that both the president and the prime minister have been convicted by the courts," The Express Tribune quoted Leader of Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, as saying.

Nisar said the government's allegations against the PML-N leadership were aimed at diverting the attention from implementing court orders.

However, Nisar remained tight-lipped when asked about his party's future course of action. "We have many options ... and will utilise every possible option if orders of the court are not implemented," he added. (ANI)