KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday rejected a plea that sought discharging Prime Minister (PM) Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani from his duties as the prime minister.
The division bench of the SHC announced a reserved judgment in the constitutional petition filed by Moulvi Iqbal Haider. The petitioner sought discharging PM Gilani of his duties after conviction in the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) for the contempt of court.In its verdict, the court said that some petitions had already been filed in the SCP for PM’s qualification hence the SHC could not proceed petition. “The petitioner should approach the SCP in this regard”, the court stated.
Hyder had stated in his petition, “The charges of contempt have been proved before the SCP. PM Gilani is a convict, hence not eligible for the post of PM under Article 63 (1) (g). PM Gilani cannot run the state’s affairs as PM after the SCP’s verdict on contempt of court case and my pray is for having him discharged from the duties as per the constitution.”
Haider submitted in the petition that Gilani was occupying the office as PM as well as member of the assembly illegally after being convicted in the contempt of court charges.He had submitted that the speaker should refer a candidate to the election commission without any delay as Gilani’s National Assembly seat had turned vacant in the light of apex court’s judgment. – Dailytimes
