Lahore: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani
on Sunday said he was prepared to resign if the issue of
approaching Swiss authorities for reopening graft cases
against President Asif Ali Zardari was resolved by his
departure.
"I will be happy if my quitting the post helps solve this
issue," Gilani said while interacting with a group of
reporters at his residence in Lahore this evening.
Gilani referred to a "third option" Resigning from the
post of premier when he was asked about the Supreme Court`s
ultimatum to reopen the cases against the President or facing
imprisonment for committing contempt of court.
"I am ready for the third option if the matter is
resolved. But after my going, a new Prime Minister will have
to face the same dilemma," he said.
Over the past few days, Gilani has said he will not write
a letter to the Swiss authorities to revive the cases against
Zardari as the President enjoys immunity from prosecution
under the Constitution.
The premier has also said he would prefer to be jailed
for contempt rather than violate the Constitution by acting on
the apex court’s orders to reopen the graft cases.
The Supreme Court has set March 21 as the deadline for
Gilani to approach the Swiss authorities.
The apex court will resume hearing a contempt case
against the premier on the same day.
PTI
