Prime minister stands his ground in high court corruption showdown

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s prime minister faced down his opponents in the judiciary Thursday over his refusal to reopen corruption proceedings against President Asif Ali Zardari, defiantly stating that it would not be a good idea to throw him to the “wolves.”

Journalists, security officials and cabinet ministers crammed into the Supreme Court amid tight security to witness Yousuf Raza Gilani’s appearance.

The prime minister had been called to explain why his government had failed to reopen an investigation into President Zardari’s finances, just one of several legal and political challenges to the administration’s survival.

Using a careful mix of defiance and respect to shore up his teetering government, 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.”

Gilani has impressed critics in the past two weeks 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.

Hasan Askari Rizvi, a political analyst, said his performance would be enough to buy some time.

“The sword is still hanging over this government, but the environment is improving,” he said.

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

The hearing was adjourned until Feb. 1.