Pak Government, Opposition clash over Gilani's fate

Islamabad, Apr 27 (ANI): The Pakistan Supreme Court's verdict against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani continues to remain a bone of contention between the government and opposition in the National Assembly.

While the opposition continues to call for Gilani's immediate resignation, the government said Gilani will remain in office.

Speaker Dr Fahmida Mirza, with whom the decision to initiate disqualification proceedings lies, did not utter a single word on the issue during the entire session, The Express Tribune reports.

"Mr Gilani should go to the court - prove his innocence first. Then come back to the Parliament. We will welcome (him then)," said Leader of Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

"Everybody expects justice from the courts, but here (President Asif Ali Zardari) is a victim of justice, because there is no trial against the president in Switzerland," said Law and Justice Minister Farooq H Naek.

Nisar continued to criticise the government for not implementing the Supreme Court's orders, and reiterated that, in line with democratic norms, the prime minister should resign.

"There is no need to beat about the bush. The premier should quit parliament," he said.

Naek said the government will seek a review of the court's decision once it receives the detailed judgment.

"PM Gilani never ridiculed the judiciary, but the judgment contains reference to ridicule of the court. So, the Supreme Court's decision has not disqualified the prime minister from being a Member of Parliament," said Naek.

Nisar said if the government does not want to implement the court's order, then fresh elections should be held to give the people another chance to elect their representatives again. (ANI)