AFTER THE CONTEMPT...

15 February 2012 05:37 am

The tussle with the apex court is owing to the fact that the government is adamant in opening corruption cases against around 8,000 big and the powerful personalities of the country, especially the head of state allegedly booked for moneylaundering cases in Switzerland. The government stance that the president enjoys immunity and thus cannot be prosecuted is now a nobuy theory before the court. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani is in a fix. He doesn’t have a choice but an obligation to oblige to the dictates of the court. He seems to have missed the bus by not offering an unconditional apology to the court. His bravado to contest the charges are meant for political purposes, as he and his party now apparently believe that a martyr complexion is better than back-treading before the judiciary. But to what extent such a strategy can work is anybody’s guess, as the charges against the alleged corrupt are not going to be dropped any time soon. The court’s categorical observation while indicting the prime minister that the government and the chief executive have acted in disregard to the law and the constitution is more than a testimony of conviction. With the drop scene yet to be written by the Lords, the government is duty bound to ensure that it upholds the law and doesn’t gives into political exigencies. Its track record of defiance is more than enough to make it shady in the eyes of the law and the people. High profile cases of corruption and misuse of authority couldn’t be made to sit on the shelf and should see the light of execution. The government in its endeavour to protect the head of state is sowing the seeds of dissent and disparity. This is unbecoming for any elected dispensation. The struck down National Reconciliation Ordinance has puzzled and polluted the national fabric, rather than brokering rapprochement.
Khaleej Times