The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted a week to former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to file a review petition against his own conviction that was awarded by a seven-member bench of the court almost a year ago. Heading a three-judge bench, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani's plea to review the apex court ruling in contempt matter against him that ultimately led to his disqualification from membership of the National Assembly.
Instead of hiring the services of a lawyer, former Prime Minister Gilani personally appeared before the bench in the instant matter, saying that his conviction was in a civil contempt case that should not have led to his disqualification. The Chief Justice stated that as Gilani was convicted by a 7-member bench therefore he may challenge. He asked Gilani why he did not opt to file a review petition against his conviction.
Gilani pleaded that at the time of his conviction he wanted to file a review petition but subsequent to Speaker National Assembly's ruling on the matter circumstances changed and his counsel (Aitzaz Ahsan) also advised him against it. Gilani informed the bench that he would file a review petition against his conviction to which Justice Azmat observed, "nothing is stopping you from filing the review".
During the course of proceedings, the Chief Justice asked Gilani to delete his (Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry's) name from the second para in the petition. Gilani responded that he wanted to be specific. That was why, he added, addressed the Chief Justice in the para. Accepting the plea of former Premier Gilani for more time to file a review petition in the instant matter the bench adjourned hearing for seven days.
Gilani filed a review petition in February 2013 against the apex court's ruling in the contempt case praying his disqualification should be reviewed in the interest of justice and the conviction be set aside. Gilani while responding to a query by the media outside the Supreme Court stated that it was his own decision to file a review petition in the matter.
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