Karachi, Jul 1: Facing the July 12 deadline to respond to the Supreme Court's order to revive graft cases alongside Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan's new Premier Raja Pervez Ashraf has defended the President's immunity, saying it would only end following he leaves office.
"He (Zardari) is the democratically chosen President and as per law, he enjoys immunity as long as he holds office," Ashraf told journalists last night.
He said all legal experts had given the government the same view on this issue.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court gave Ashraf time till July 12 to point to whether he would ask Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases alongside Zardari.
Ashraf's precursor Yousuf Raza Gilani was convicted of contempt and disqualified by the apex court after he refused to act on orders to revive the fraud cases against Zardari.
Both Gilani and Ashraf have contended that the President enjoys protection from prosecution within Pakistan and abroad.
The Supreme Court has been pressuring the government to revitalize the cases against the President since December 2009, when it annulled a graft official pardon issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf that had benefit Zardari and over 8,000 others.
Asked specifically whether he would write to Swiss establishment to reopen the cases against Zardari, Ashraf said he would proclaim his decision on July 12.
Immunity is enjoyed not only by the Pakistani President but all president of the world, he supposed.
The question of Presidential immunity has been blown out of amount though there is no ambiguity on the issue, Ashraf supposed.
In this stare, he said that when the judiciary was attacked in the past, all following parties and the people came out to protect it.
If something similar happens to Parliament, people will come out to put aside it, he additional.
Ashraf said the uncertainty prevailing in Pakistan is damaging to institutions and undue importance given to a single issue might be harmful to democracy.
He urged all stakeholders to respect the Constitution and work within Constitutional parameter to avert any kind of unsteadiness.
The government will take all possible steps to ensure a see-through, free and fair general election, he supposed.
Replying to a question, Ashraf said the Pakistan army has been playing a very important role in the defense of the country.
Appreciating the courage and commitment of the army, he supposed: "We are proud on our armed forces as they are a source of strength and national constancy."
"He (Zardari) is the democratically chosen President and as per law, he enjoys immunity as long as he holds office," Ashraf told journalists last night.
He said all legal experts had given the government the same view on this issue.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court gave Ashraf time till July 12 to point to whether he would ask Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases alongside Zardari.
Ashraf's precursor Yousuf Raza Gilani was convicted of contempt and disqualified by the apex court after he refused to act on orders to revive the fraud cases against Zardari.
Both Gilani and Ashraf have contended that the President enjoys protection from prosecution within Pakistan and abroad.
The Supreme Court has been pressuring the government to revitalize the cases against the President since December 2009, when it annulled a graft official pardon issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf that had benefit Zardari and over 8,000 others.
Asked specifically whether he would write to Swiss establishment to reopen the cases against Zardari, Ashraf said he would proclaim his decision on July 12.
Immunity is enjoyed not only by the Pakistani President but all president of the world, he supposed.
The question of Presidential immunity has been blown out of amount though there is no ambiguity on the issue, Ashraf supposed.
In this stare, he said that when the judiciary was attacked in the past, all following parties and the people came out to protect it.
If something similar happens to Parliament, people will come out to put aside it, he additional.
Ashraf said the uncertainty prevailing in Pakistan is damaging to institutions and undue importance given to a single issue might be harmful to democracy.
He urged all stakeholders to respect the Constitution and work within Constitutional parameter to avert any kind of unsteadiness.
The government will take all possible steps to ensure a see-through, free and fair general election, he supposed.
Replying to a question, Ashraf said the Pakistan army has been playing a very important role in the defense of the country.
Appreciating the courage and commitment of the army, he supposed: "We are proud on our armed forces as they are a source of strength and national constancy."
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