Islamabad: The contempt notice against Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was on Tuesday challenged in the Supreme Court.
The petition filed in the apex court argued that the Prime Minister enjoyed immunity like the President, adding that "it is not the job of the Prime Minister to write letter to Swiss authorities".
It further said that the Supreme Court must first call the Law Minister and the Law Secretary before calling the Prime Minister on January 19.
Meanwhile, Gilani on Tuesday named senior Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Aitzaz Ahsan, one of the country's leading legal minds, as his lawyer for his upcoming appearance in the Supreme Court.
The decision was announced by the Prime Minister's House after Ahsan met Gilani on Tuesday afternoon.
"In the meeting, it was agreed that Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan would appear in the Supreme Court of Pakistan along with the Prime Minister as his counsel on January 19," said a brief statement issued by the premier's spokesman.
On Monday, the Supreme Court had served Gilani a contempt notice for failing to re-open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
The court asked him to appear in person before it on Thurdsay, following which Gilani said he would explain his reasons.
According to sources, Gilani may now be forced to apologise and even seek re-opening of the cases. Gilani has the support of his party, the Cabinet and Parliament for now.
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