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Pakistan court rules PM in contempt
Pakistan's top court on Monday found Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in contempt for not complying with orders related to re-opening corruption cases and summoned him to appear in person this week, AFP reported.
Pakistani Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani was held in contempt of court for refusing to re-open old corruption cases against the President Asif Ali Zardari
The move escalates the pressure on Pakistan's weakened civilian government, which faces separate court procedures that could unseat its leadership and force early elections at a time of soaring tensions with the powerful army.
The Supreme Court wants the government to write to Swiss authorities demanding that they re-open old corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, which the government has so far refused to do so.
Zardari and the government led by his Pakistan People's Party (PPP) say he has immunity from prosecution as long as he remains in office.
The president is also under pressure from an investigation into who was behind efforts to solicit American help to prevent a coup apparently feared in the aftermath of Osama bin Laden's death and to clip the power of the army.
Zardari's close aide, Husain Haqqani, was forced to resign as ambassador to Washington over a secret memo written last May and the Supreme Court ordered an inquiry on 30 December following a demand from the country's chief spymaster.
