Pakistan court to indict PM for contempt

Aitzaz Ahsan (2R) lawyer of Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, answers a question outside the Supreme Court building along with ruling party leaders Qamar Zaman Kaira (L) and Nayyar Bukhari (2L) after the case hearing in Islamabad yesterday

Pakistan's top court yesterday summoned Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to appear February 13 to be indicted with contempt over his refusal to pursue corruption cases against the president.
It was a shock announcement in a long-running case that significantly escalated pressure on the embattled prime minister, threatening to plunge his weak government deeper into crisis and force early elections within months.
Judge Nasir-ul-Mulk told the court there were grounds to proceed against Gilani over the government's refusal to follow a court order and ask Swiss authorities to re-open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
The government argued that Zardari has immunity from prosecution while head of state and accused judges of plotting with the military to wage a witch-hunt against him. Switzerland shelved the cases in 2008, when Zardari took office.
"We are satisfied that prima facie there is a case for further proceeding into the matter. Adjourned for February 13, for framing charges. Prime minister is required to remain present in the court," Mulk said in English.
Gilani was previously summoned to appear in court on January 19, when he refused to back down on Zardari's immunity. Experts say that if convicted, he could be jailed for up to six months and disqualified from public office.
Gilani's lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan said it was possible to appeal.
There was no immediate reaction yesterday from the prime minister or senior colleagues in the main ruling Pakistan People's Party.
"Contempt has been committed and it is committed by the prime minister," senior lawyer Athar Minallah told private TV channel Geo.
"It is in the interest of the country and its economy that President Zardari should himself step down," he added.