Pakistan high court launches contempt case against prime minister
Source: Los Angeles Times
Pakistan's Supreme Court initiates contempt proceedings against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani over a corruption case against President Asif Ali Zardari.
Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan— Dealing a heavy blow to Pakistan's embattled government, the Supreme Court on Monday initiated contempt proceedings against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for refusing to revive a long-standing corruption case against the nation's president.
Gilani, a top ally of President Asif Ali Zardari in the ruling Pakistan People's Party, must appear before the court Thursday, when the justices will listen to his explanation for not going ahead with the case.
If the court moves forward with the contempt proceedings and Gilani is convicted, he could be disqualified from office and forced to step down. He also could be forced to serve up to six months in jail.
Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-pakistan-gilani-contempt-20120117,0,1068133.story