Pakistan PM Gilani charged with contempt

The confrontation stems from thousands of old corruption cases thrown out in 2007 by an amnesty law passed under former military president Pervez Musharraf.

It is one of several issues causing tensions between the Pakistani government and military including the so-called "memogate" affair, a scandal over an unsigned memo to the Pentagon that sought US help in reining in Pakistan's generals, who have ruled the nation for more than half of its history.

The case is fuelling political tensions in the country, which is battling Islamist violence and is in dire economic straits. If convicted, Mr Gilani faces imprisonment and would likely lose his job.

To lose its prime minister would be deeply embarrassing for Pakistan's government, but analysts say it is not likely to cause a collapse, or threaten the position of the president, who heads the ruling party and has immunity from prosecution as head of state.

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