Islamabad:
Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday gave a brief respite to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani when it adjourned the hearing to February 1. The prime minister, who appeared before the justices, in person, is facing contempt charges for failing to pursue corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
Here are the highlights of what happened in court.
1.Reprieve for Gilani: Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani came out of the Supreme Court smiling today. The court has given his government time till February 1 to respond to it on the issue of re-opening of graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
2. Gilani seeks time: Prime Minister Gilani appeared in Pakistan's Supreme Court today to answer a contempt notice. He sought a month's time to respond but got a two week repreive from the court. it has exempted the PM from appearing in court at the next hearing.
3. Gilani's statement in Court: The Pakistan Prime Minister told the court that he had the highest respect for the judiciary and that he could not think of committing contempt of court. He invoked Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the founder of the Pakistan People's Party and said even Mr Bhutto had been tried in court. This is the third occasion that a Pakistani premier has been issued contempt notice by the Supreme Court. The other premiers who faced similar action by the court were Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. Mr Gilani's lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan told the court that Presidents around the world enjoy immunity and the "Pakistani constitution gives immunity to our President."
4. Judge asks Gilani to reconsider legal advise: Before it adjourned , the court asked the government why it had been silent on the issue for two years. The court also observed that Mr Gilani could in fact gather records and documents that he needed in two days and did not need a month
5. Gilani's show of strength: The Prime Minister had a big, confident smile he made a point to drive up himself to court in a convoy of cars and ringed by a three-tier security. He waved to the crowds gathered and then bounded up 30 odd steps to reach Court number 4 for the hearing. Helicopters hovered above, and present in court were top leaders including Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Asfandyar Wali Khan of the Awami National Party, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain of the PML-Q and Punjab Governor Latif Khosa.