This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-asia-16572531
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Pakistan PM Gilani faces Supreme Court contempt order | Pakistan PM Gilani faces Supreme Court contempt order |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Pakistan's Supreme Court has issued a contempt order against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, raising the prospect of his prosecution. | Pakistan's Supreme Court has issued a contempt order against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, raising the prospect of his prosecution. |
| The court has been considering what to do about the government's refusal to reopen corruption cases against the president and other political figures. | The court has been considering what to do about the government's refusal to reopen corruption cases against the president and other political figures. |
| Mr Gilani has been ordered to appear in person at the court on 19 January. | Mr Gilani has been ordered to appear in person at the court on 19 January. |
| It comes on a day of several crucial challenges for the government amid ongoing tensions with the army. | It comes on a day of several crucial challenges for the government amid ongoing tensions with the army. |
| A key vote of confidence in Pakistan's political leadership is scheduled to be held later in parliament. | A key vote of confidence in Pakistan's political leadership is scheduled to be held later in parliament. |
| And another court hearing into a controversial anonymous memo which asked for US help to avert an army coup in Pakistan, in the wake of the killing of Osama Bin Laden in May 2011, has also resumed. | And another court hearing into a controversial anonymous memo which asked for US help to avert an army coup in Pakistan, in the wake of the killing of Osama Bin Laden in May 2011, has also resumed. |
| Correspondents say that Mr Gilani can continue as prime minister while court proceedings take place. | Correspondents say that Mr Gilani can continue as prime minister while court proceedings take place. |
| Intense uncertainty | |
| At the heart of the court's complaint is the government's refusal to act on a recent court order quashing a controversial amnesty, which had protected the country's senior politicians from corruption prosecutions. | |
| One of the cases at stake is against Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari - the government insists he has immunity from prosecution as president. | |
| But the deadline for the government to reopen the corruption cases expired on Monday and government representatives were summoned to court to explain what they planned to do. | |
| "The Supreme Court has issued a contempt of court notice to the prime minister for not complying with its orders," AFP news agency reported judge Nasir-ul-Mulk as telling the court. | |
| The order comes at a time of intense political uncertainty, with the government at loggerheads with country's powerful military as well as the judiciary. | |
| The government's stand-off with the military escalated sharply last week when the army publicly rebuked Mr Gilani warning of "potentially grievous consequences" after he criticised army leaders in a media interview and sacked his defence secretary. | |
| Pakistan has suffered three military coups since independence in 1947. | |
| Correspondents say things appeared to have calmed down after talks between civilian and military elites over the weekend when Mr Gilani described the armed forces as "a pillar of the nation's resilience and strength". | |
| But analysts believe the army is throwing its weight behind the judiciary as it pursues its cases against the government. | |
| 'Memogate' inquiry | |
| The other court hearing being considered today concerns the so-called "memogate" scandal - the anonymous memo apparently seeking help from the US to avert a possible military coup. | |
| It is not clear who wrote the memo or conveyed it to Washington. US officials say they received the memo but took no action. | |
| The scandal has already cost Pakistan's former ambassador to Washington, Husain Haqqani, his job. He denies any role in the memo, as does Pakistan's President Zardari. | |
| The commission, set up last month, is expected to question government officials to try to establish whether they endorsed the memo, and if so, whether the cabinet can remain in power. | |
| The findings of the investigation are due to be announced later this month. | |
| At the close of a testing day for the government, Mr Gilani's government will face a vote in parliament on the country's political leadership and in the democratic system. | |
| Correspondents say the prime minister is likely to win backing, and that the lawmakers' seal of approval may strengthen his hand. |