Pres. can be summoned to court: SCBA president

Statesman Report

PESHAWAR: The President of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Qazi Mohammad Anwar Tuesday said that the President could be summoned in court if there is a case registered against him before assuming President's office.

Talking to Geo News and BBC, President SCBA said the President has been exempted from appearing before court under Article 248 of the Constitution; however, President could be summoned in the court under National Reconciliation Order (NRO) or if any other case registered against him before being sworn in as President.

In such a situation, the President could be advised to resign, he added.

Qazi said before becoming President, cases of murder, dacoity, smuggling and taking commission were registered against the PPP co-chairman.

"To avoid any embarrassment in future, the advice to the President Asif Ali Zardari to step down from his office is correct," Qazi said.

He said Supreme Court Bar Association was watching the situation and would not remain silent on the issue.

According to Qazi, SCBA wants supremacy of the law as a man in the street and President are equally answerable to law.

Qazi's statement came a day after lawyers leader Aitzaz Ahsan said that under Article 248, no action could be taken against the President, after abolishment of NRO.