Pakistan PM reluctant to reopen graft cases against President

Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani monday did not indicate willingness to follow the Supreme Court orders to write to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. The apex court has already formally charged the Prime Minister for not sending the letter to Swiss authorities. The court last week issued another order to Gilani to write the letter and do not take advice from others in the matter. “I will not take any advice for writing to Swiss authorities for reopening of graft cases against the President but will follow the constitution,” the Prime Minister told reporters in Lahore when asked about the Supreme Court's observation that he should write to Swiss authorities and do not wait for any advice. The country’s anti-corruption body says that nearly 60 million US dollars has been transferred to Swiss banks from Pakistan and the court wants the money be returned. Gilani said that any inquiry into the Swiss bank issue should have been referred to the Parliament which was also the supreme body to re-write the Constitution. The Prime Minister said that all over the world the Presidents and the Prime Ministers, who are executive head of the governments, and Foreign Ministers had immunity as long as they were in power. Questioned on the appointment of Lt General Zaheer-ul-Islam as the new intelligence chief, the Prime Minister said the appointment had been made on merit as the general was a competent person. Asked how it would affect Pak-US relations, Gilani said the Parliament would soon debate new parameters of the relationship where inputs from all stakeholders would be considered.