Gilani given last lifeline by SC to end stand-off: Pak media

Pakistani media today warned beleaguered Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani-led government that it has been granted a "last lifeline" by the Supreme Court to end its confrontation with the judiciary as the nation can ill-afford another spell of military rule.

Gilani's response when he appears in the apex court on January 19 is expected to influence the outcome of the current face-off between the Pakistan People's Party-led government and the assertive judiciary over the reopening of graft cases in Switzerland against President Asif Ali Zardari, leading newspapers said in their editorials.

The banner headline in the Dawn newspaper read 'Defiant premier in the dock 'Supreme Court slaps Gilani with contempt', while the front page of Pakistan Today featured an old Western movie-style wanted poster with Gilani's face under the slogan "Contempt of court".

The apex court yesterday issued a notice to Gilani to explain why contempt of court proceedings should not be started against him for failing to act on its orders to revive cases of alleged money laundering against Zardari.

The Dawn said in its editorial that the Supreme Court had apparently given the PPP-led government "one last lifeline".

In an editorial titled 'A testing time', The Express Tribune said much would now depend on the premier's response when he appears in the apex court.

The newspaper said Gilani deserved appreciation for "his vigorous defence of democracy" and for suggesting that the "military had a constitutional role to play".

"This should come not just from his party but from the entire nation that can ill-afford another general who thinks the reins of power rightfully belong to him," it said.