Pakistan to start contempt hearing against new PM
By Nasir Habib, CNN
August 8, 2012 -- Updated 0733 GMT (1533 HKT)
Pakistan's new Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, pictured on June 25, 2012, is accused of not pushing Swiss authorities to reopen a corruption investigation.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Ashraf is accused of not asking Swiss authorities to reopen a corruption investigation against the president
- Former prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, was ousted by the Supreme Court for the same reason
- Ashraf also has been accused of corruption in the past.
Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan's Supreme Court says it will start contempt proceedings against the country's new prime minister, Raja Pervez Ashraf, on August 27.
The contempt proceedings are because Ashraf is accused of not pushing Swiss authorities to reopen a corruption investigation against President Asif Ali Zardari.
The former prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, was ousted by the Supreme Court in June for also refusing to call on Swiss authorities to reopen the old corruption case against Zardari.
Pakistan has a new prime minister
Ashraf, a staunch loyalist to Zardari's Pakistan Peoples Party, was made prime minister in June.
Read more: What's next for Pakistan?
Ashraf also has been accused of corruption in the past.
In 2011, he was accused of scheming to receive kickbacks from private power companies during his time as minister of water and power.
The corruption allegations earned him the nickname "Raja Rental" among many Pakistanis.
The case was also heard by the Supreme Court and a ruling is pending, Fawad Chaudhry, senior leader of the Pakistan People's Party said in June.
Opinion: Pakistan collapsing from within
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