Pakistan Indicts PM Gilani

As expected, Pakistan's highest court charged Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with contempt today as helicopters swirled overhead and riot police warily watched his arrival. Gilani pleaded not guilty to the charges, reports the BBC, which stem from his refusal to re-open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, and which Gilani says amount to a political witchhunt. If convicted, however, he would lose his post and face jail time. The case is adjourned til month's end, though many fear it will distract from Gilani's focus on the mountain of problems facing Pakistan. "It's a sad day for Pakistan," said a member of Gilani's PPP party. (More Yousuf Raza Gilani stories.)