Pakistan's top court summons PM over contempt of court

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Supreme Court of Pakistan Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on the charges of contempt of court, ordering him to appear personally before the court on Aug. 27.

The Supreme Court observed in its last order on July 12 that Ashraf should comply with court's orders and write a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari and others.

A five-member bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa ordered the prime minister to explain why he is not implementing the court order to open graft case against President Asif Ali Zardari.

The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has refused to send the letter, arguing that the president has immunity and no case could be initiated against the president.

Ashraf's predecessor, Yusuf Raza Gilani, was disqualified in June for refusing to write to the Swiss and according to some analysts the new premier could suffer the same fate if he followed Gilani.

The short order of the court said it was unfortunate that the prime minister had failed to implement the court's directives, adding that the government had also failed to submit a report in this regard.

During the hearing Attorney General Irfan Qadir sought more time from the court and requested that the hearing be adjourned till the first week of September, given that the case is of " sensitive nature". However, the court denied his request and said that he had already been given enough time in the case.

The court further stated that the attorney general did not bring directives of the government on July 12 explaining if the prime minister will be writing a Swiss letter or not.

Qadir maintained that he has been trying to fill the gap between institutions and that if given more time he will be able to do that.

Justice Aijaz Afzal on the bench observed that if it was intended, the time given to Qadir was enough to resolve the matter.

On last hearing the Supreme Court had suggested to the government to find a way out from the impasse between the executive and the judiciary.

In another development, the government filed a petition, seeking review of the court's July 12 order to the prime minister to write to the Swiss authorities. The petition, filed by the attorney general, termed the July 12 order as unconstitutional. He further argued that there is no role of Pakistani government into the graft cases after they were investigated by the Swiss authorities. Enditem