Writing letter to Swiss authorities violation of Constitution: Gilani

BAHAWALPUR: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said writing the letter to Swiss authorities would be in violation of Article 6 of the Constitution that could result in death penalty, Geo News reported.

"If I write a letter it will be a violation of the constitution, which is treason and carries death sentence," Prime Minister Gilani said while addressing the fifth Convocation of Islamia University Bahawalpur Thursday .

"If I don't write, I will be convicted for contempt, the punishment for which is six months' imprisonment," Gilani added.

The prime minister asked students as to what he should do in this situation.

The students said the PM should opt for the second option that might result in six-month imprisonment.

Gilani said he would deliver students' advice to the authorities concerned.

The Supreme Court last week ordered Prime Minister Gilani to ask Switzerland to reopen corruption cases by March 21.

It was the first time the court asked Gilani to personally write to the
Swiss authorities.

The SC previously addressed repeated demands to the government since revoking in 2009 an amnesty freezing legal proceedings against key politicians.