Islamabad, January 10
Unpleasant action would follow if the government failed to implement the Supreme Court’s directive on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) by January 16, asserted Justice Asif Sayeed Khosa today while reading out the verdict of a five-member Bench looking into the government’s non-compliance. The court was giving the government ‘a last chance’, the court added.

The petitioners had sought the court’s intervention following the government’s failure to write letters to Swiss authorities for reopening money laundering cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, as directed by the Supreme Court. President Zardari had claimed immunity under the NRO, issued by Pervez Musharraf. The ‘graft amnesty’ had benefitted Zardari and eight thousand other people. The court had struck it down.

Justice Khosa noted that the President had, ‘in an interview’, refused to accept the court’s orders.

Today’s verdict triggered a flurry of political activities here. President Zardari summoned an emergency meeting of the Pakistan People’s Party while the Army chief, General Kayani, held consultations with the Army top brass.

Just back from a visit to China, Kayani was briefed on Prime Minister Gilani’s statement that the Army had misinformed the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court Bench recommended six different options to the Chief Justice. Two of them dealt with action against President Zardari for defying the Constitution and disqualifying Prime Minister Gilani as a member of Parliament.

Both the President and the PM, the court observed, put loyalty to their parties above loyalty to the state. The Bench voiced its disappointment at the PM violating Constitutional obligations and his oath of office.