Pakistan PM in court in bid to avert contempt charge
By AP News Jan 19, 2012 3:53PM UTCISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister has made a rare appearance before the Supreme Court in attempt to avoid being held in contempt for refusing to reopen an old corruption case against the president.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told the court Thursday that he believes the president cannot being prosecuted because he enjoys immunity while in office.

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. Pic: AP.
The court launched contempt proceedings against Gilani earlier in the week for failing to obey a long-standing order to write a letter to Swiss authorities asking them to reopen a graft case against President Asif Ali Zardari dating back to the late 1990s.
If found in contempt, Gilani could face up to six months in prison and be disqualified from holding office.
The court will resume hearing the case against Gilani on Feb. 1.



