Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan's prime minister, has been charged with contempt of court by the country's supreme court, after he disobeyed a court order to open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.<br /><br />Local television channels flashed the news less than half an hour after Gilani arrived on Monday at the courthouse, where he pleaded not guilty.<br /><br />If convicted, Gilani faces six months in jail and disqualification from office in a case that has fanned political instability and may force elections.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Imtiaz Tyab reports from Islamabad.
