Zardari to end party activities, court told

Wednesday, Feb 06, 2013

Islamabad: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has welcomed President Asif Ali Zardari’s decision to voluntarily quit political activities in the Presidency after the federation’s lawyer assured the five-judge bench in writing yesterday.

Wasim Sajjad said in his arguments during the hearing of a contempt of court petition against Zardari for not quitting the office of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman and holding party activities at the Presidency.

The counsel told a five-judge LHC bench hearing the case in Lahore that Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) is the registered political party and its president is Makhdoom Amin Fahim.

Sajjad assured the court in writing that the Presidency was not being used for any political activities. The bench appreciated the written assurance as a positive step.

The bench inquired about holding political meetings by Zardari at the Bilawal House in Karachi, to which the counsel replied that Bilawal House was Zardari’s personal residence and not the Presidency.

The bench adjourned the hearing of the case to February 15.

Last month, the LHC bench had called for an assurance from Zardari to voluntarily quit political activities in the Presidency.

By Mohsin Ali ?Correspondent