Pakistan PM charged with contempt
Pakistani prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani arrives at the Supreme Court for a hearing in Islamabad, Pakistan (AP/Anjum Naveed)
IPakistan's Supreme Court has charged the prime minister with contempt for defying its orders to reopen a corruption case against his political ally, President Asif Ali Zardari.
The development escalates a political crisis that has gripped the nuclear-armed nation
If found guilty, prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani could be imprisoned and lose his job.
The court will now hear the case. A verdict could take several weeks or months.
Mr Gilani has refused to order the corruption investigation into Mr Zardari, saying the president has immunity from prosecution while in office.
Press Association
