Pakistan Supreme Court issues contempt notice to Gilani

The Pakistan Supreme Court today issued a contempt notice to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for failing to reopen graft cases against president Asif Ali Zardari. The court has asked him to appear personally before it on 19 January.

A seven-judge bench led by justice Nasir-ul-Mulk today began hearing the case related to the apex court's orders for reopening high-profile graft cases against Zardari and over 8,000 others. (See: Zardari vows to battle on as Pakistan President)

The bench directed Gilani to appear in person in court and explain why contempt proceedings should not be started against him for deliberate non-compliance with the court's orders.

According to the bench, the Supreme Court had issued directions to the government several times on the implementation of orders regarding the reopening of graft cases. The government, however, had chosen not to act on the orders, it contended.

The court criticised Gilani for not obeying its orders to reopen an old money laundering case against President Zardari. The government on its part has said Zardari is immune from prosecution, being the president of the country.

Gilani could lose his seat in parliament and his position as prime minister if he is convicted by the country's top court.