Date of hearing on Pakistan review petition set

Islamabad: The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned to Thursday a hearing of a government petition seeking review of a verdict revoking a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) by which former military ruler Pervez Musharraf had granted amnesty for politicians and others in corruption cases.

Arguments on the petition were yet to start after the full 17-judge bench of the top court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took up the pending petition Monday after a gap of six months.

The court once again refused to allow a government plea to allow lawyer Khalid Ranjha to argue its case in the review petition in place of Kamal Azfar, who was counsel of the government when the court heard the NRO case and declared Musharrf's decree null and void in December 2009, reopening all shelved corruption and criminal cases.

On Monday the bench had cited a number of case examples to emphasis that except for unavoidable circumstances requests to change the counsel in review petitions were never granted. Court rules make it mandatory that a lawyer who argues the main case pleads the review petition.

Kamal Azfar, who appeared on the court`s directive, sought the adjournment and said that despite his efforts he could not get fresh instructions on the matter from the law ministry.

Islamabad (IANS) The cricket World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan in Mohali has proved to be a catalyst for improving ties between the two countries, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said.

Gilani made the remark on Monday at a reception hosted by him in honour of the national cricket team, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

He said the semi-final played between Pakistan and India had brought the two governments and two nations closer.

"It is not the question of winning or losing by one country; In fact the winner is the cricket and the people of Pakistan and India," he was quoted as saying.

The cricket team led by captain Shahid Afridi along with Pakistan Cricket Board chairperson Ejaz Butt, coach Waqar Younis and assistant coach Aqib Javed, were present.

India beat Pakistan by 29 runs in the thrilling March 30 match that was witnessed by Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.