Indicted PM refuses to Resign

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was charged with Contempt by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, pleading not guilty to charges that could see him Disqualified from Office if convicted. And despite losing Moral Justification to continue at his office, Prime Minister Gilani refused to resign.

The Supreme Court summoned Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to explain his refusal to ask Switzerland to reopen Graft Cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

The Government has always argued that, as head of state, Zardari enjoys Immunity from Office and has therefore refused Court demands to write to the Swiss Authorities to reopen the longstanding Cases. Explaining his refusal, Gilani spoke of his respect for the Judiciary but did not immediately tender an apology or waver from his position. "I have come today to show my respect to this Court," Gilani told a Seven-Judge Bench. "It will not give a good message to proceed against a President who is elected by a two-thirds majority."

"There is complete immunity for head of states everywhere," Gilani stressed again.

Analysts say Gilani, who was accompanied by Senior Cabinet Ministers and Leaders of Allied Political Parties, has to resign or find a way of satisfying the Court Order if he wants to keep his job.

However, Prime Minister Gilani and Pakistan Peoples Party have decided in principle that the Government will not write a Letter to Swiss Authorities come what may?

What is more disappointing is the timid reaction by opposition leaders, like Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan? None of these so called Pakistani Leaders has mobilized masses for a just demand of Prime Minister Gilani's resignation.