Pakistan’s PM goes into bat in court for his embattled president

Journalists, security officials and cabinet ministers crammed into the supreme court in Islamabad amid tight security to witness Yousuf Raza Gilani’s appearance.

Snipers patrolled the roofs and helicopters hovered, adding to the sense of crisis.

The prime minister had been called to explain why his government had refused an order to resume the investigation into President Asif Ali Zardari’s finances, one of several legal and political challenges to the administration’s survival.

Mr Gilani insisted he was acting in accordance with the constitution, which protected the president from prosecution.

“We have the highest regard for the supreme court and respect its decision,” he said.

“But what I have been advised – and it is my complete conviction – is that he has full immunity inside and outside the country.”

Mr Gilani has impressed critics in the past fortnight by maintaining a tough line in the face of serial challenges.

He spoke for 15 minutes without removing his coat or scarf – as if to remind the seven judges that he had a job to get back to.

The civilian government of nuclear-armed Pakistan faces multiple threats as it tries to become the first civilian administration to complete a full five-year term.

There have been three military coups in the country’s short history and, once again, analysts believe the army is manoeuvring behind the scenes to force out an unpopular administration.

Last week, the tension exploded into the open when the army gave a public rebuke to the prime minister for daring to criticise its chief of staff and the head of its intelligence service.

However, the main threat is in the courts.

Mr Gilani faces contempt proceedings and imprisonment for refusing to implement an order to re-open an investigation into allegations that Mr Zardari made millions of dollars in kickbacks paid into Swiss bank accounts when his wife, Benazir Bhutto, was prime minister in the 1990s.

The couple were allowed to return to Pakistan in 2007 under the terms of an amnesty, which has since been overturned.

The supreme court has ordered Mr Gilani to write to Swiss authorities asking them to re-open proceedings, threatening the survival of the government.

His lawyer, Aitzaz Ahsan, who played a pivotal role in the collapse of Pervez Musharraf’s regime in 2008, argued that Mr Gilani could not be found in contempt because he believed he was acting in accordance with the constitution and therefore had not “wilfully disobeyed” the court.

“When Asif Ali Zardari is no longer president, the order will be implemented,” he said.

The hearing was adjourned to 1 February for the judges to consider Mr Gilani’s explanation, although he will not be required to return.

A second potentially-fatal supreme court inquiry is also under way. Judges are investigating who was behind an unsigned memo that sought US support for a shake-up of the highest military ranks, has angered the army and also threatens the government’s survival.

The issue has already forced the resignation of Husain Haqqani, a close confidante of the president, as ambassador to Washington. He denies any involvement.