Gilani set for 'punishment' as Pak SC rejects contempt appeal

Herald Globe (ANI) Friday 10th February, 2012

The Pakistan Supreme Court (SC) has rejected the Intra Court Appeal filed by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani against the verdict of a smaller bench for framing charges of contempt of court against him.

Gilani will now have to appear before the Supreme Court on February 13 for contempt proceedings, The News reports.

The apex court's order included references to the history of the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case and government's failure to implement the court's orders.

Gilani's counsel Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan concluded his arguments today after an extended hearing in the SC before an eight-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Other members of the larger bench included Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Tariq Parvez, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Amir Hani Muslim.

In the ICA moved under Section 19 (1) (iii) of the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003 in criminal original number 06/2012, the counsel pleaded to the Court to recall the order of its seven-member bench and suspend proceedings for framing of charges on February 13 for the larger interest of justice. (ANI)