Supreme Court faults Pakistani prime minister for contempt
Muhammed Muheisen/AP -
Pakistan’s Supreme Court issued a contempt of court notice to
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday, moving one step closer to
expelling the leader of a civilian government embroiled in a
power-struggle with the judiciary and military.
Gilani was faulted for failing to obey orders to reopen an old money laundering case against President Asif Ali Zardari, which the government says it will not do because Zardari is immune from prosecution. If convicted, Gilani could lose his seat in parliament and his position as prime minister. He was summoned to appear for a hearing Thursday.
The corruption case, which has percolated for more than two
years, is just one of several threats to the embattled elected
government.
It is also engaged in a public clash
with the military over an unsigned memo asking for the Pentagon’s help
in curbing army control, and the Supreme Court is probing whether it was
ordered by Zardari. With the capital saturated by rumors of a possible
military coup, the lower house of parliament is scheduled to vote Monday
on a resolution expressing confidence in democracy — and, by extension, the government.
The
political crises are further destabilizing this nuclear-armed nation
grappling with other, more existential problems, including a failing
economy and violent Islamist militancy.
Last week, the court
admonished Gilani for not moving on the corruption case against Zardari
and laid out six possible legal options, including initiating contempt
of court proceedings. On Monday, the attorney general failed to explain
the government’s position, prompting the court to issue what amounted to
contempt charges against Gilani.
The government argues that the
military and a partisan judiciary have embarked on a witch hunt with the
goal of ousting Zardari. Analysts say the government has done itself
few favors by repeatedly trying to delay the corruption case, giving the
impression it views itself as above the law.
But with Senate
elections approaching and calls for an early general election, the
ruling Pakistan People’s Party appears to have decided to close ranks
around Zardari, even if it means risking other key figures, said Babar
Sattar, an attorney who writes a newspaper column on legal issues.
An
aide to Gilani, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the party
will continue to refuse to reopen the Zardari graft case and is
“mentally ready” to nominate a new prime minister if need be.
“Even
if Gilani gets disqualified, the PPP still has a majority together with
its allies to elect another prime minister,” Sattar said. “Legal issues
are going to get entwined with political issues, and if the PPP is seen
as a victim, I think that helps the party, especially in an election
year.”
Special correspondent Shaiq Hussain contributed to this report.
