Pakistan's Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani faced the Supreme Court on Thursday (January 19).<br/> The court adjourned a hearing on a contempt case, leaving a political crisis over corruption simmering.<br/> The issue at hand is presidential immunity.<br/> Gilani was called to court to explain why he should not be charged with contempt, for failing to re-open old corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.<br/> If Gilani is found guilty, he could be disqualified from office and forced to resign.<br/> This could throw an already unstable Pakistan into a bigger crisis.<br/> Gilani's government is already embattled, in disputes with the judiciary and with the powerful armed forces.<br/> Tight security was imposed around Islamabad ahead of the hearing. Pakistan is no stranger to terror attacks and high-profile assasinations.<br/> Zardari's lawyer is confident that the prime minister would not be charged.<br/> SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) AITEZAZ AHSAN, LAWYER FOR PRIME MINISTER YUSUF RAZA GILANI, SAYING:<br/> "We bow our heads before the orders of the court. I will try to satisfy the court about section 248 regarding presidential immunity. God willing, I will try to convince them that in this issue, presidential immunity is complete."<br/> Gilani is due for another appearance in court, on the 1st of February.<br/> Michaela Cabrera, Reuters.
