South Asia News
Pakistani court decides to charge premier with contempt
Feb 2, 2012, 8:43 GMT
Islamabad - Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday said it would charge Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with contempt of court over his refusal to ask Switzerland to investigate the president for money laundering.
The court summoned Gilani to appear on February 13 to stand trial for contempt.
'The court verdict has come but we still have the right for an appeal against it,' Gilani's lawyer Aitizaz Ahsan told reporters outside the court.
The prime minister has refused to obey a court order to write to Swiss authorities to ask them to reopen money-laundering cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, arguing that the president has immunity.
Gilani could lose his job if the court convicts him. Such a decision would push Pakistan into a deep political crisis at a time when its economy is faltering and it is battling Islamist militants.
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