Pakistan's top court may hold PM in contempt

Pakistan's top court on Wednesday summoned the new prime minister to appear later this month to face possible contempt charges, the clearest sign yet it could dismiss a second premier in a showdown over corruption cases.

The Supreme Court - which disqualified and convicted prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani over the issue - summoned his successor Raja Pervez Ashraf on Aug 27 for ignoring a request to ask Swiss authorities to reopen cases against the president.

It is the latest episode in a two-and-half years saga in which the government has resisted demands to have Asif Ali Zardari investigated, arguing that as head of state he enjoys immunity.

Gilani lost his job in June in a similar showdown with the court after refusing to write the letter.

The head of a five-judge panel, Asif Saeed Khosa, said it was unfortunate that the prime minister had failed to comply with the court order already.

If Ashraf does not appear in court or continues to refuse to write the letter, he could be charged with contempt of court.

A prominent Pakistani lawyer Abdul Hafeez Pirzada said Ashraf might also be disqualified from office if he did not write the letter to Swiss authorities, but still did not expect him to do so.

"I don't think they (the government) are in a mood to write the letter," he said.

An adviser to the prime minister, Fawad Chaudhry, said Ashraf had been informed about Wednesday's court ruling, and he would consult with his political allies before making any decision. Chaudry said the court ruling could further deepen political instability as a time when the country was facing multiple challenges.

Zardari is in little immediate danger of being tried. The Swiss have indicated they have no plans to continue with the case which dates back to the late 1990s. But the issue has become a bone of contention between the Supreme Court and the government.

The court has been aggressive in using its clout to investigate the government as well as Pakistan's security agencies, and appears to consider it unacceptable for the government to ignore its orders.

The ruling Pakistan People's Party views the court with suspicion, and supporters have questioned whether the court is becoming too powerful. The PPP rallied support to elect a new premier and has continued to reject the court's decision.

The PPP also tried to outmaneuver the court by passing a law designed to protect the prime minister from being charged with contempt of court but the Supreme Court last week struck down the legislation.

The court could repeatedly disqualify prime ministers over the issue, undermining the government and forcing an early national election.

AFP-AP