Zardari ready to sacrifice Gilani

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Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari — in his capacity as the co-chairman of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) — is ready to sacrifice Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, but will not allow him to comply with the Supreme Court’s order to write a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against Mr Zardari, official sources said.

“The President (during the recent meetings) has not even once hinted at allowing the PM to obey the court’s order. He is ready to sacrifice the Prime Minister,” a senior government official, close to the President, told this newspaper.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Gilani said writing the letter to Swiss authorities would be in violation of Article 6 of the Constitution and he could be awarded the death sentence.

PM Gilani said his government does not want to take any unconstitutional step and would prefer six months imprisonment for contempt of court rather than violating the constitution.

Prime Minister Gilani has been ordered by the court to write to the Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Zardari by March 21 without seeking any advice from the ministries or legal aides.

As the time is drawing near for the government to write letter to Swiss authorities, the ruling party has firmed up its game plan to deal with any possible verdict of the Supreme on non-compliance of its order against Prime Minister Gilani.

There is relative calm in Prime Minister’s Camp and there is no sign of any nervousness in the top ruling coterie, sources in the knowledge of such developments confided.

The statements by the ruling leaders and body language of the Prime Minister did not subscribe to the impression that he is going to face any punitive action by the apex court.

“Nobody is coming in and going out — I will remain within the ambit of the Constitution,” said the Prime Minister in a very relaxed mood at Multan a few days ago, apparently referring to the stand taken by government that the President enjoys immunity in the National Reconciliation Ordinance case.

The ruling party had already decided not to write letter to the Swiss authorities against their party boss and they are ready to face any eventuality. “Even the party will sacrifice its Prime Minister if such situation comes,” a PPP leader said.