Civilian government Troubles Continue In Pakistan

Pakistan court rejects Gilani appeal

Pakistani prime minister set to face contempt charges over refusal to re-open corruption cases against president. Last Modified: 10 Feb 2012 19:11 inShare6 Email Print Share Feedback

Gilani has so far refused to reopen old corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, pictured [GALLO/GETTY] Pakistan's supreme court has rejected an appeal by Yousuf Raza Gilani, the prime minister, against his being summoned in a contempt case and is set to charge him within days. The contempt accusation arises from Gilani and his advisers ignoring court orders to ask Swiss authorities to re-open corruption cases against Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. There are fears that the case, which has raised tension between Pakistan's civilian leaders and the court and could eventually see Gilani jailed, could drag on and risk paralysing the government. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who chairs an eight-member judicial panel assembled specifically for the case, dismissed Gilani's appeal in court on Friday. It was "very likely" that Gilani would now be charged with contempt, though he could appeal that ruling as well, said Al Jazeera's Imtiaz Tyab, reporting from Islamabad. "If he is indeed convicted of this, this could cause a real problem here in Pakistan and fresh political turmoil," Tyab said. "[Gilani] could face up to six months in prison and be disqualified from office." Amnesty law Zardari is the most prominent of many Pakistani officials who benefited from a controversial 2007 amnesty law, passed under the rule of General Pervez Musharraf, the former president, that threw out thousands of old corruption cases. "It's very unlikely that the prime minister will ever do anything against the president," Tyab said. If Gilani is removed, it does not necessarily mean the government will fall, since the ruling coalition has the numbers in parliament to elect a replacement. But a protracted court battle could weaken the government and damage the ruling Pakistan People's Party's chances in the next general election, expected by 2013. Pakistan's current government is the longest-serving civilian administration in the country's history and could become the first to serve out its full term. Political instability and brinksmanship often distract Pakistani leaders from a series of challenges - from tackling Taliban fighters to the struggling economy and rampant poverty. While Pakistanis have grown accustomed to tension between civilian leaders and generals, the supreme court has increasingly asserted itself over the last few years, making the political landscape more combustible. and.... Zardari, Nawaz accused of being partners in plunder Our Reporter | National | From the Newspaper 3 hours ago Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan. — File Photo by AFP KARACHI: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said on Saturday that billions had been looted from the exchequer over the past four years and accused President Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif of being “partners in the plunder”. Talking to reporters at the Jinnah Terminal on his arrival from Swabi, he said corruption was the biggest problem of the country and called upon people to stand up against corrupt elements. He alleged that the government had devoured Rs8,000 billion in corruption since it assumed office. Answering a question about the prime minister’s contempt case, the PTI chief remarked that “the whole drama is being played to hide President Zardari’s corruption”. Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who accompanied Mr Khan, said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani should tender an apology to the Supreme Court and write letter to the Swiss authorities in compliance with its verdict. In reply to a question, Mr Qureshi said his party endorsed the stance of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement on the interim government set-up. He announced that the PTI would hold a public meeting in Umerkot on March 5.