The Pakistani Government will appear before the Supreme Court Monday in the longstanding corruption cases involving Switzerland President Asif Ali Zardari and before the Supreme Court Commission in a scandal that has become known as “Memogate.”
The Commission investigating the origins of the unsigned memo last may in which the civilian Government of Pakistan asked for Washington’s help against the feared a military coup in Pakistan. The Memo was sent to the u.s. military shortly after the American attacks killing al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in his hideout in Northern Pakistan.
The Government rejected the memo as a non-issue, but the Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has been argued before the Supreme Court that the document is true. He dismissed speculation about a possible military takeover as misleading and repeating “continued support” for the democratic process in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Gilani has criticized General Kayani and Inter-Services Intelligence Chief Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, to cooperate with the Supreme Court to the affair, and said the hostage-taking is nothing less than a choice between “democracy and dictatorship.”
After the Gilani’s comments, the army issued a warning of “may be a poignant consequence” down the line.
The Supreme Court is expected to decide how to proceed with graft allegations against President Zardari and other leading politicians, who claim to have immunity from prosecution in the case.
The Court threatened to disqualify the Prime Minister from Office if he didn’t initiate the proceedings against Mr. Zardari of corruption.
A Panel of five judges accused Gilani being dishonest disobeyed the 2009 Supreme Court decision struck down amnesty for some 8,000 senior politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen accused of corruption, murder and terrorism.
President Zardari is among those who are covered by the Amnesty 2007 known as the regulation of national reconciliation. He is accused of laundering money in Switzerland.
The Supreme Court has since ordered all corruption case could be reopened, including the case against President Zardari. The Government has so far stalled on demand, said Mr Zardari has immunity from prosecution while in Office.