'Unlawful' for Pak PM Ashraf to write Swiss letter, Govt. tells SC

Islamabad, July 25 (ANI): Pakistan Attorney-General Irfan Qadir had submitted an application in the Supreme Court regarding the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case, a day before the hearing, asking the court to "recall" its fresh directives to Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf to write a letter to the Swiss authorities against President Asif Ali Zardari.

The 'request' was supported by a litany of complaints against the proceedings of the implementation case, and challenging the court's jurisdiction to direct the premier to write the letter, reports The Express Tribune.

Qadir argued that it was the premier's "constitutional obligation" to disregard the court's orders that "negate the constitution."

After the disqualification of former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani, who was charged with contempt for non-compliance, his successor, Ashraf, was also sent notices by the court on the same matter. On June 27, Ashraf was given time until July 12 to inform the court of his intentions to follow its orders.

On July 12, when his counsel argued that Ashraf was awaiting instructions from the cabinet, the court gave a strongly worded warning, recalling the fate of his successor, Gilani. The court gave another date July 25 for compliance, "failing which this court may initiate any appropriate action under the Constitution."

But a day before the latest deadline, the government moved an application in court not only questioning the legality of the case, but also stating clearly that the premier could not implement the court's order of writing a letter to Swiss authorities asking to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari .

Qadir, in the application, said Ashraf cannot write the letter to Swiss authorities without the cabinet's approval. He further contended that the court's orders of June 27 and July 12 were not in accordance with the laws, rules, and Constitution, and were illegal, unlawful, and without jurisdiction. (ANI)