Pakistan’s supreme court has ordered the arrest of the prime minister on corruption allegations, ratcheting up pressure on a government that is also facing street protests led by a cleric who has a history of ties to the army.
The combination of the arrest order of Raja Pervez Ashraf and the mass protest in Islamabad led by Muslim cleric Muhammad Tahirul Qadr has raised fears that the military is working with the judiciary to force out a civilian leader.
However, the government has a majority in parliament and politicians can simply elect another prime minister if Mr Ashraf is ousted.
– (Reuters)
