ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday approved the amended draft of the letter to be written to Swiss authorities seeking to reopen a graft case against President Asif Ali Zardari.
A five-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, okayed the draft during a hearing of the NRO implementation case.The approved draft states that in the light of the Supreme Court’s order, the letter sent by former attorney general Malik Qayyum should be considered void, adding that, it should be assumed that Qayyum’s letter had not been written and sent.The draft moreover stated that all cases be reopened, adding that, President Zardari had the right of defence in the light of laws and the Constitution.
Earlier during the hearing, Law Minister Farooq H. Naek had presented the amended draft of the letter.The law minister had said he was answerable to the judiciary, to the government and to God Almighty, adding that, he had not arrived in the court to violate the country’s laws.Subsequently, the judges had retreated to their chamber with the amended draft.
Justice Khosa had stated the letter’s draft was satisfactory, even praiseworthy, adding that, it was the first time that an honest attempt had been made to write the letter.To which, Naek had stated that the judges knew best how to dispense justice, adding that, the judges should allow the course of justice to come full circle.
The judge had then again retreated to their chamber for consultation and had subsequently approved the amended draft of the letter.The bench also rejected Naek’s plea to discharge the contempt notice against Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf saying the notice would be discharged when the Swiss officials receive the letter.The case’s hearing was adjourned to Nov 14. – Onlinenews
