South Asia News

Pakistani premier charged with contempt of court

Feb 13, 2012, 5:57 GMT

Pakistan\'s Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani (C) waves to supporters upon arrival at the Supreme Court for a hearing in a contempt-of-court of notice, in Islamabad, Pakistan, 13 February 2012. EPA/T. MUGHAL EPA/T. MUGHAL

Islamabad - The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday charged Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with contempt, his lawyer said.

Gilani is accused of disobeying court orders to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, who heads the ruling Pakistan People's Party to which the premier also belongs.

The premier maintained that the letter could not be written to Swiss authorities to reopen the cases because Zardari enjoys immunity from prosecution.

Gilani pleaded not guilty Monday after he was charged by a seven-member bench of the court. The next hearing will take place on February 22, his lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan said.

Charges of money laundering involving 60 million dollars against Zardari date back to 1990s, when his now deceased wife Benazir Bhutto served two terms as prime minister.

But the cases were withdrawn by Swiss authorities at the request from the Pakistani government under a controversial national reconciliation ordinance.

The order involved a deal between Zardari's party and former military strongman Pervez Musharraf, under which he and several other people were granted immunity from corruption and other criminal charges.

Gilani is the first Pakistani premier to be charged with contempt of court. If convicted, could face a prison term and lose his post.

There are few indications that the existing government would fall in the event of his conviction because some ministers have said they would choose another prime minister from the ruling party if Gilani loses his job.

But it would keep the political situation volatile in a country struggling against Islamist insurgents along the Afghan border and burdened with economic problems.