Amir Jamaat-i-Islami Syed Munawwar Hassan has demanded that contempt of court action be initiated against President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for issuance of illegal notifications about judges' appointment.
Speaking to newsmen after attending the party's CEC meeting here on Sunday Munawwar said the present situation proved that the government has declared a showdown with state organs. He was of the view that the judicial crisis would mostly dent the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
To a question, the JI Amir said that the state institutions were heading toward confrontation, which would deteriorate the situation even further. He lauded the two judges for not accepting presidential orders about their elevation.
He announced that the JI along with other parties and civil society would stage a demonstration outside the Supreme Court to express solidarity with judiciary. He also appealed to people for support for the supremacy of law.
Talking to party workers Amir Jamaat-i-Islami Punjab Dr Syed Waseem Akhtar said that President Zardari violated the constitution by rejecting recommendations of the Chief Justice in connection with appointment of judges to the superior courts.
He said by starting confrontation with the judiciary, the government has put the country in a serious crisis, but the JI would work for the independence of the judiciary. "We had played a leading role in the restoration of the deposed judiciary and now we would defend the independent judiciary at all costs", he added. He called upon President Zardari to respect verdict of the courts and avoid confrontation in the interest of the country.