The NEWS, Fri, Apr 27, 2012,
Jamadi-Us-Sani 05, 1433 A.H,
ISLAMABAD: The senior leadership of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Thursday
expressed dissatisfaction over the conviction of Prime Minister Prime Minister
Yusuf Raza Gilani by the Supreme Court in contempt case on charges of
non-implementation of apex court's ruling on NRO.
According to the Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar, the PPP leadership
held a high-level meeting chaired jointly by President Asif Ali Zardari and
Prime Minsiter Yusuf Raza Gilani at the Aiwan-e-Sadr to discuss the aftermath of
PM's conviction by the apex court.
Aitzaz Ahsan, the PM's counsel, briefed the participants of the meeting about
the short verdict of the Supreme Court, convicting the Prime Minister.
The meeting expressed apprehension over 'attempts to oust the elected government
and the Prime Minister', adding the Prime Minister was punished for upholding
the Constitution and Parliament.
The participants of the meeting expressed complete solidarity with the convicted
Prime Minister.
They declared that the Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani was an elected PM who
could be removed only through a procedure laid down in the Constitution.
It also noted with disappointment that while no dictator had been punished for
suspension and abrogation of the Constitution a democratically and unanimously
elected Prime Minister had been sentenced for upholding the Constitution.
After careful deliberations the meeting decided to give a robust, considered and
appropriate response to the new challenges with great political maturity and
wisdom on the one hand and firmness on the other and employing all democratic
and constitutional means available.
Farhatullah Babar said that the meeting placed on record its appreciation for
the defence council Aitzaz Ahsan and his team for the spirited and competent
defence of the Prime Minister in the Supreme Court.
It called upon the defence team to study the full order of the Court as and when
it becomes available and give its considered opinion on whether and when to file
an appeal against the verdict.
The meeting appreciated and thanked the allied parties in the coalition
government for showing solidarity with the Prime Minister and signaling the
unity of political forces.
The meeting of the coalition partners congratulated the Prime Minister over his
stance in defending the Constitution and expressed complete solidarity with and
support to the Prime Minister.
The President thanked the coalition partners for their support to strengthen the
political system and standing behind the Prime Minister in upholding the
Constitution. The President appreciated the stance of the coalition partners to
uphold the rule of law instead of seeking political power.
The meeting was attended among others by Makhdoom Amin Faheem, Chaudhry Ahmed
Mukhtar, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Rehman Malik, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, Raja Perviaz
Ashraf, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, Senator Farooq H. Naek, Syed Khursheed Shah,
Syed Naveed Qamar, Senator Jahangir Badar, Senator Faisal Raza Abidi, Barrister
Aitzaz Ahsan and Fouzia Wahab.