Zardari signs bill to protect leaders from contempt

Islamabad: Pakistan President on Thursday signed into law a bill aimed at giving blanket immunity to top government leaders from contempt of court proceedings and countering the Supreme Court's efforts to pressure the premier to revive graft cases against Asif Ali Zardari.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said Zardari gave his assent to the Contempt of Court Bill of 2012 after it was passed by the Senate and the National Assembly, the two houses of Parliament.

The new law provides blanket immunity to top government functionaries, including the President, Prime Minister, federal ministers and provincial Chief Ministers and Governors, for executive actions.

Zardari signs bill to protect leaders from contempt

The President signed the bill hours before the Supreme Court resumed hearing a case related to the graft charges in Switzerland.

Officials said the law would replace two ordinances on contempt of court issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in 2003 and 2004.

The Senate or upper house approved the bill by a majority after a heated debate late on Wednesday night. The bill was passed by the National Assembly or lower house of parliament on Monday.

The bill is intended to save new Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf from possible disqualification by the apex court for refusing to reopen corruption cases against Zardari in Switzerland.

The Supreme Court had given the premier till Thursday to indicate whether he will ask Swiss authorities to reopen the graft cases against the President.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry disqualified former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani on June 19 following his conviction of contempt in April for refusing to reopen the cases.

Under the new law, the time for filing appeals against a decision in contempt cases was extended from 30 days to 60 days.

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