Pakistan's Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani against a contempt of court charge. Mr. Gilani is set to be charged on Monday with failing to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
Analysts say the rejection of the appeal will prolong a stand-off between the government and the judiciary.
The Prime Minister, who appeared before the court last month, faces jail and being barred from office, if convicted. Mr. Gilani argues that the president, who denies the corruption charges, has immunity as head of state.
Eight of the court's judges, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, heard the appeal. They upheld an earlier order which called upon the government to write to the Swiss authorities to ask them to reopen corruption proceedings against Mr. Zardari. Mr. Gilani's lawyer, Aitzaz Ahsan, said the Prime Minister would now appear before the court on Monday.
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