Gilani won't be present in SC for hearing of review plea

Gilani won't be present in SC for hearing of review plea

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Tuesday ruled out the possibility of appearing in the Supreme Court Wednesday when it takes up the government's petition seeking a review of the verdict striking down a graft amnesty that benefited President Asif Ali Zardari.

"The Turkish Prime Minister is arriving in Islamabad today and I will visit Punjab and Sindh with him tomorrow. So I will not go to the Supreme Court," Gilani told reporters at Charsadda in northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, where he had gone for an official function.

The apex court will Wednesday take up the government's petition seeking a review of the verdict annulling the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), a graft amnesty issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf that benefited over 8,000 people, including Zardari.

The government has already refused to revive corruption cases against Zardari in Switzerland, saying the Constitution grants the President immunity from prosecution.

Gilani described reports of differences between him and Zardari as a "joke" and rubbished speculation about the fall of his government, saying he would complete his five-year term in office as there is no potential threat to the elected dispensation.

"Only the people have the right to bring about any change. We have come to power with the support of the people and not through any back door," he said.