Pakistan Peoples Party is a "private organistion" and does not indulge in politics. This is the line that a government lawyer took while arguing against a petition challenging the holding of a political office by the President Asif Ali Zardari.

Wasim Sajjad, the counsel for the federal government, used a technicality to defend Zardari, who has been accused by petitioner Munir Ahmad of using the presidency for partisan political activities.

Sajjad told the bench that the ruling party is the Pakistan Peoples Party-Parliamentarians (PPPP), which is registered with the Election Commission and headed by federal Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim.

On the other hand, Zardari is the co-chairman of the PPP, which is a "non-political party" and a "personal association".

He further said the PPP is a "private organisation" that is not registered with the Election Commission or hold internal elections.

Sajjad also assured the bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial that there would be no political activities of any party in the presidency in future.

"The PPP is neither registered with the Election Commission nor involved in political activities," he said.

The Chief Justice asked Sajjad how he could make such an assurance on behalf of the President.

Sajjad said: "I am the representative of the federation and the President is part of it".

The Chief Justice asked whether the President supports the agenda of any political party.

"Is the President non-partisan?" he asked.

Sajjad said the President was non-partisan and he was not holding the office of any political party.

Sajjad urged the bench to dismiss a contempt of court notice as Zardari was not holding any political office.

A K Dogar, the counsel for the petitioner, said Zardari had headed a political party in the past.

He argued Zardari also held meetings of Pakistan Peoples Party-Parliamentarians leaders at the presidency and other places and he was supporting the "agenda of the PPPP", which is a political party.

Dogar, who is also the counsel of Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, sought contempt proceedings against Zardari for not quitting his political office.

The petitioner had sought contempt proceedings after the Lahore High Court, in an order issued in May 2011, had suggested that Zardari should give up any political office held by him.

The bench subsequently adjourned the matter till February 15.