Escalating tussle: Pakistan's judiciaries summons news prime minister

The Supreme Court which has already dismissed Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani over the issue directed his successor Raja Pervez Ashraf on August 27 to ignore a court order to ask Swiss authorities to reopen cases against the head of state.

It is the latest episode in a two-and-a-half-year saga in which the government has resisted demands to have Asif Ali Zardari investigated, arguing that as president he enjoys immunity under the constitution of the country.

The present Pakistan People Party-led government is due to become the first in the country's history to complete an elected, full five-year mandate in February 2013, but the showdown could force polls before then.

The court had previously given Ashraf until August 8 to write to Switzerland asking it to reopen the multimillion-dollar graft probes.

"We issue notice to Raja Pervez Ashraf under (the) contempt of court act 2003, read with article 204 of the constitution to show cause as to why he may not be proceeded (against) in contempt of court and (is) not complying (with the) relevant direction of the court," said one of the Judges of the supreme court Asif Saeed Khosa. "He shall appear in person at the next date of hearing. Hearing adjourned until August 27," the judge added.

Before, adjourning the proceeding, in its order the court warned that Yousuf Raza Gilani was disqualified for failing to implement the court’s directives.

The order said that Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf was also given a similar directive, adding that, the last month’s ruling had said that failure to implement court orders would lead to initiation of proceedings.

The short order said it was unfortunate that the Prime Minister had failed to implement the court’s directives, adding that, the government had also failed to submit a report in this regard.

Though, the government had recently passed a new contempt of court law by the parliament to give immunity to the Prime Minister but the law immediately declared anti constitution and dismissed by the Supreme Court.

According to the legal experts, in light of previous decision of the Supreme Court against the former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, the court would not forgive the new Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.

‘The Prime Minister must be accountable before the Supreme Court and may be disqualified soon by the court.