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Pakistani PM Appears In Court To Face Contempt Charge |
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Thursday, 19 January 2012Embattled Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has appeared before the Supreme Court in Islamabad to face contempt of court proceedings that could lead to his removal from office.
Reports say Gilani arrived at the court building under heavy security from police and paramilitary troops, then addressed the court before judges adjourned the case until February.
The case has further rattled a civilian establishment that has appeared under increasing pressure from Pakistan's powerful military, particularly amid an ongoing scandal over a mysterious diplomatic memo appealing for U.S. help last year in the face of a purported coup.
Pakistan's highest court has summoned Gilani to explain his refusal to ask Switzerland to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
If the court finds him in contempt, he could be banned from holding public office.
The government has explained its inaction on the Zardari matter by arguing that the man who has led the country for four years has immunity from prosecution while in office.
The Supreme Court hearing comes with the government facing pressure from Pakistan’s powerful military over disclosures about the memo, which was allegedly linked to Zardari and has already cost Islamabad's envoy to Washington his job.
The Supreme Court has set up a commission to investigate this case, dubbed "memogate" in the media. |
Thursday, 19 January 2012
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