Pakistan crisis
January 19, 2012
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has adjourned a contempt of court hearing which saw the country's prime minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani, appear before judges in the latest bout of a months-long political crisis.
The court had called Gilani to answer queries on why he had refused to pursue several corruption cases involving incumbent President Asif Ali Zardari. Gilani maintained the line Thursday that the cases should remain closed because Zardari enjoyed presidential immunity.
In 2003, Zardari and his late wife, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, were found guilty in absentia by a Swiss court of laundering millions of dollars from Swiss companies whilst in office. The case was dropped, however, at the request of the Pakistani government. Pressure has built on Gilani to request Swiss authorities reopen the cases.
Explaining his refusal, Gilani spoke of his esteem for the judiciary but did not immediately tender an apology or waver from his long-standing position.
"It is my conviction that he (Zardari) has complete immunity inside and outside the country," Gilani told the court. "In the constitution, there is complete immunity for the president. There is no doubt about that."
"I have come today to show my respect to this court," Gilani said. "It will not give a good message to proceed against a president who is elected by a two-thirds majority."
Deepening crisis
Judge Nasir-ul-Mulk put the hearing off until early February and said Gilani would not be required to attend the rescheduled session.
If found guilty of contempt of court, Gilani could be forced to step down, plunging the government into an even deeper crisis at a time of great tension between the Zardari administration and Pakistan's powerful military.
Recent weeks have seen a sharp deterioration in relations between army generals and Pakistan's civilian leadership over the so-called "memogate" scandal, which centers on a leaked document intended to be delivered to the United States seeking Washington's support countering a feared potential military coup.
It was alleged the document originated from within the government, though no one has claimed responsibility. The matter is the subject of an ongoing special commission investigation.
Author: Darren Mara (AFP, Reuters)
Editor: Anne Thomas