Gilani contempt case in Pakistan SC today

New Delhi: The Pakistan Supreme Court will be hearing the contempt of court case against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday.

The court has sent Gilani a notice for not implementing a directive seeking action against President Asif Ali Zardari on corruption charges.

Gilani had appeared before the court in person last week. A huge relief came for Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in his last appearance as he managed to survive the hearing in the Supreme Court without having to go through the embarrassment of an apology.

Instead, his arguments earned him praise from the judge. Gilani told the court that he could not open graft cases against Asif Ali Zardari because the President enjoys immunity.

"The presence of the Prime Minister made it clear that we respect judiciary and constitution of the country. February 1 is next date of hearing," said Gilani's lawyer.

Earlier, appearing before a full judge bench minus Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, Gilani did not apologise to the Supreme Court on the charge of committing contempt, but said he respected the judiciary and was appearing in person before it, also that he had fought for the cause of an independent judiciary.

A plea on behalf of the PM has been presented that he bonafide the belief that the president had the immunity under the constitution both in Pakistan and internationally and that's why he didn't write that letter to the Swiss authorities.

He even earned praise from the judge who just last week reportedly described him as a dishonest man.

However, on the issue of reopening graft cases against President Zardari, Gilani said he was helpless.

He told the bench, "It is my conviction that he (Zardari) has complete immunity inside and outside the country. In the constitution, there is complete immunity for the President. There is no doubt about that."

Gilani hopes invoking the President's immunity will also convince the court that the PM is not guilty of contempt. In the next hearing on February 1, his government will attempt to argue on this constitutional aspect which most agree is a grey area. Till then, he gets to stay on as Prime Minister.