Legal experts differ over the president's immunity following the Supreme Court's verdict handed down Wednesday. Justice (retd) Fakharuddin G Ibrahim said President Asif Zardari enjoyed immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution for the cases pending in Pakistani courts. However, he maintained that Zardari enjoyed no immunity regarding his pending cases in Swiss courts. Ibrahim said the presidents of US, India and France also enjoyed exemption from appearing before the courts. On the other hand, former Supreme Court Bar Association president Aitzaz Ahsan said that Zardari enjoyed immunity; therefore, he would not be affected by the decision. He said a sitting president could not be summoned in court and no action could be taken against him. Justice (retd) Wajiuddin said after the verdict it seemed that even if parliament did not remove Article 248 from the Constitution, the pre-election disqualification of the president would still stand.
