Daily Times

Sir: The detailed verdict of the Supreme Court (SC) is out. It is not written in the verdict that the Prime Minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gilani step down or be removed from office. The PM’s lawyer, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan has decided to challenge the verdict, filing an appeal against it in the SC. Until the review petition, the PM has an inalienable right to serve. This is also the courts’ procedural system; in case of a conviction, the verdict can be challenged. The PM enjoys the support of all coalition partners and on May 3, 2012, the government and its coalition partners adopted a resolution in both houses and all their MPs showed confidence in the PM. Therefore, there is no question of his stepping down from office. Being patriotic Pakistanis, the leaders of opposition parties should respect resolutions of the elected parliament, as the detailed verdict of the SC has also not asked for his resignation. The confrontation between government and opposition is not good for the country in the present scenario, when there is a faltering economy, energy crisis, widespread poverty and war with militant groups. All concerned quarters need to be more responsible and patriotic.

DR SAIFUR REHMAN

Islamabad