Impeachment only way to dethrone President: Aitzaz

Former Supreme Court Bar President, Prominent lawyer and PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan has said under the constitution the President and Governor enjoy immunity in criminal cases. Talking to media outside the Supreme Court building Aitzaz said even if the court disqualifies the President the matter will be referred to the parliament. He said that the president and parliamentarians enjoyed same immunity except some of the clauses in the constitution, and added that the President and Governor were immune under 1973 Constitution. He further told that the President has the immunity from the criminal cases under Artcle-248 of the Constitution. Replying to a question, Aitzaz said Swiss cases would be decided as per the state law of Switzerland; however, if the Pakistani government requested the former the case could be reinitiated as according to international laws the leaders enjoyed indemnity. He said the President can only be unseated through Article 47 of the constitution, under which an impeachment motion will be moved in the joint session of the parliament. The President can be removed from the office after the joint session of the parliament passes the impeachment motion with two-third majority. Even if the court declares the President disqualification his fate will be decided by the parliament, he added.