New Delhi: The Pakistan Supreme Court indicted Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for contempt, making him the first Pakistani PM to be chargesheeted. Appearing in court for the second time this year, Gilani pleaded innocent to the charges that his government had failed to re-open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
If he is convicted he faces a disqualification from the assembly and six months in jail.
"Is the government's commitment towards the people or with those who looted this country? The PM should think this through and decide which way he should go," said Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif.
But the Pakistani government says it hasn't given up hope.
"We will fight on and hope for justice. PPP is not disheartened," said Firdous Awan of Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
In fact Gilani has many options even if convicted. He could be pardoned by President Zardari. He could attend the assembly and remain PM until the Speaker of the Assembly forwards his disqualification. Or he could resign and call for early elections.
For the moment the government hopes to draw out the contempt case for some weeks, far beyond the next hearing date of February 27. But Gilani's plea, and images of him driving himself to court waving to the crowds seem to indicate, if he does go down, the PM hopes to go fighting, and as a political martyr.
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