Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani charged with contempt

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has been charged with contempt by the country’s Supreme Court, the latest step in a case that has fueled political tensions for months and threatens to launch the country into a new political crisis. In a courtroom filled with Gilani supporters on Thursday, Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk read, “The prime minister is found guilty of contempt for willfully flouting the direction of the Supreme Court.” Continuing, the Justice said, “His offence tends to bring this court and the judiciary of this country into ridicule.”

The case against the prime minister, Pakistan’s second highest ranking politician, stems from a corruption case in the 1990’s against the country’s President, Asif Ali Zardari, before he came to power. Under an amnesty rule issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, the corruption case was dismissed in 2007, but the Supreme Court later reversed the decision, demanding Gilani to reopen the case. Gilani refused and in response, the Supreme Court charged him with contempt. Gilani avoids any jail time, but his political future faces uncertainty. His charge could lead to a dismissal from office.