Pakistan Politics

Article by I. A. Rehman, published in Daily Dawn on 21^st June 2012

ALL praises to the Almighty that the people of Pakistan have been blessed with two history-making judgments of the apex court and this within a matter of days.

The more momentous of the two verdicts has ended the months-old agony of Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani by pushing him off the prime ministerial gaddi. Since the issue was contempt of the highest court in the land the verdict was not unexpected, though the scale of punishment is.

While all Supreme Court verdicts must always be honoured even if they do not appear to be sound, it may not be possible to avoid a prolonged discussion on the present judgment. There are quite a few issues that will need to be clarified.Read More »The two judgments

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has disqualified Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in its short order of the NA Speaker ruling case.

  Yousuf Raza Gilani is disqualified from membership of parliament from April 26, the date of his conviction. He has also ceased to be the prime minister of Pakistan,” said chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, reading the order.

 The Election Commission shall issue a notice of disqualification and the president is required to take necessary steps to ensure continuation of democratic process,” he added.Read More »Supreme Court Disqualifies Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yusuf Raza Gilani

By Ayaz Amir

We know the kind of influence Malik Riaz Hussain of Bahria Town has been famous for peddling: chummy with presidents and prime ministers, close links to all major political parties, ex-generals and air-marshals in his employ, leading champions of the fourth estate in his pocket, or at least beneficiaries of his largesse. We can even go a step further and for the sake of argument say that he is the biggest wheeler-dealer this side of Suez.

Read More »Islamabad Diary: Et tu Brute?

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has wrapped up the suo motu case involving Chief Justice’s son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar and real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, ordering action against the two in its short order issued Thursday, DawnNews reported.

The court has ordered the Attorney General Irfan Qadir to take strict legal action against Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, Malik Riaz and his son-in-law Salman Ali Khan.Read More »SC orders strict action against Arsalan Iftikhar, Malik Riaz

ISLAMABAD: Taking suo motu notice Malik Riaz’s press briefing, the Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to the real estate tycoon, asking him to appear before the court on Thursday, DawnNews reported.

A three-member bench of the SC’s senior most judges, headed by Justice Shakirullah Jan, was hearing the suo motu case pertaining to the business tycoon’s Tuesday press conference.

Justice Shakirulah Jan read out the text of Riaz’s press briefing in court and said that it appeared as if the judiciary was being scandalised.

Justice Shakirullah said that Riaz had ridiculed the court with the press conference and could be held in contempt of court.

The show cause notice issued to Riaz also said that he had made an attempt to obstruct justice.

The SC had earlier summoned the record of the controversial press conference. Sources had told DawnNews that an informal meeting of the apex court judges had taken place in the chief justice’s chamber. The meeting which lasted for nearly an hour was reportedly attended by 12 apex court judges.Read More »Malik Riaz issued contempt notice over press briefing

Brushing aside allegations of receiving money from real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan said;  I take oath on Quran I never get even a penny from Malik Riaz. Imran Khan categorically denied that any of his party member had taken money, reasoning if it happened he must have known that. The cricketer-turned politician said he would not let the judiciary to be toppled. He said a politician, sitting in Rawalpindi, should be ashamed of leveling baseless allegations. Imran Khan further said President Asif Ali Zardari had appointed Husain Haqqani as ambassador to US and he was also involved in the memo conspiracy. The PTI chief also spoke against war against terror, saying no issue could be resolved through war. Imran Khan said that he will stand by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He said that conspiracies against the apex court Read More »I take oath on Quran I never received a penny from Malik Riaz: Imran

Islamabad:Former owner of Behria Town Malik Riaz submitted written statement in SC against Dr Arsalan, statement says he spent a total amount of Rs 342 million on chief justice’s son Dr Arsalan.

The written statement of real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, which he submitted in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, stated that he spent a total amount of Rs 342 million on chief justice s son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar.
Read More »Malik Riaz claims spending Rs 342m on Dr Arsalan

Karachi—Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, daughter of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, on Tuesday extended her full support for Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, currently facing harsh decision in contempt of court issue.

She has urged him not to violate the Constitution of Pakistan. “You will not desecrate the graves of our martyrs. You may lose your office. You may lose your government but you must do what is right,” President Zardari’s daughter posted her message on social media website Twitter on Tuesday.Read More »Bakhtawar comes to solace Gilani