Supreme Court contempt summons ramps up the pressure on Gilani

Islamabad: The Pakistan Supreme Court's summons against Yousuf Raza Gilani to face contempt charges has "significantly escalated pressure on the embattled prime minister and may sink his weak government deeper into crisis", a daily newspaper reported.

An editorial in yesterday's News International said: "Thursday was a good day for rule of law but a bad day for politics: the Supreme Court summoned Gilani to appear February 13 — to be indicted with contempt over his refusal to follow a court order and ask Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari."

Facing disqualification

Gilani was previously summoned on January 19. If convicted, he could be disqualified from public office and may also have to step down as prime minister. The editorial said the apex court "appears determined to force the prime minister to write to the Swiss".

The apex court had held as illegal and struck down in 2009 the National Reconciliation Ordinance, which granted immunity to politicians and bureaucrats in corruption cases, and warned the government of action if its ruling was not implemented by January 10 this year.

The court had also sought reopening of cases closed under the NRO, and ordered the government to write a letter to the Swiss authorities specifically requesting it reopen cases against the president.