Islamabad, May 17 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has been advised by legal aides to suspend his political activities as the co-chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) unless the Lahore High Court (LHC) order on dual operation is suspended by the Pakistan Supreme Court.
A PPP source said President Zardari has been informed that according to a recent LHC judgement, his actions as the PPP co-chairperson might deprive him of the constitutional immunity.
"These actions are being taken not in the discharge of the functions and duties of the President of Pakistan but on account of a personal and private association of the president with his political party. These actions, therefore, do not enjoy immunity from the judicial process and call for judicial intervention to enforce the Constitution," read the relevant portion of the LHC judgment announced on Thursday.
The judgment also ruled out the use of the premises of Presidency for partisan political activity as inconsistent with the sanctity, dignity, neutrality and independence of the presidency, The News reports.
Zardari's political secretary Faisal Raza Abidi has confirmed that the next seven-day schedule of the president, as issued by the presidency, does not include any such political activity.
Sources said Zardari respected the LHC order though the PPP has protested its timing and announced plans to challenge it in the Supreme Court.
PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira said the court order required implementation unless the higher court suspended it. Legal experts endorsed the same viewpoint.
The Presidency's official spokesman, Farhatullah Babar reserved his comments for the study of the full judgement by the party's legal team. (ANI)
|
Comments: