Pakistan PM faces dismissal in court battle

The prime minister of Pakistan was today found in contempt of court for failing to carry out a corruption inquiry into president Asif Ali Zardari, dating back to the Nineties.

The Supreme Court issued a notice to Yousuf Raza Gilani to appear before judges as soon as Thursday. If the hearing goes ahead Mr Gilani could be prosecuted and dismissed as prime minister by the end of the week.

The government has refused to co-operate saying that President Zardari has immunity from prosecution. Its supporters say the court is pursuing a vendetta against the country's civilian leadership.

The court order is the latest development in a political crisis in Pakistan that pits the civilian government against the army, which has seized power three times.

Experts believe the rise in tensions between the government and army cannot be separated from the manoeuvring of the Supreme Court, which has sanctioned past coups.

A confrontation broke out last week over an unsigned memo delivered to Washington last year offering the US a raft of favourable security policies in exchange for its help in thwarting a supposed army coup.

Mr Gilani has called for a "show of confidence" vote in parliament today. Analysts believe early elections will be called.