Rediff.com » News
Zardari cancels Russia visit after Pak SC ousts Gilani
Source: PTI June 20, 2012
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday called off a planned visit to Russia to attend a summit after the Supreme Court's disqualification of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani plunged Pakistan into a political crisis.
The President cancelled his visit to Russia in view of the "evolving situation", state-run
Radio Pakistan reported.
Zardari was due to leave for Russia tomorrow to attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum and to hold bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart.
Zardari will play a crucial role in meetings to be held by the ruling Pakistan People's Party and its allies to choose a replacement for Gilani.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry disqualified Gilani in response to several petitions that had challenged the National Assembly Speaker's decision not to disqualify the premier following his conviction of contempt.
The bench ruled that the post of premier had been vacant since April 26, when another seven-judge bench had convicted Gilani of contempt for refusing to reopen graft cases in Switzerland against Zardari.
Source:
PTI© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.
Recommended by Rediff.com
Pakistani chief justice turns the tables on Zardari govt
Pak EC issues disqualification notice to Gilani
PPP asks workers to remain calm in wake of SC verdict
Pak PM Gilani held GUILTY, spends 30 seconds in jail
Gilani stands DISQUALIFIED; new PM expected on Wednesday
© 2024 Rediff.com