Pakistani PM Gilani denies contempt charge

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.

Local television channels flashed the news less than half an hour after Gilani arrived on Monday at the courthouse, where he pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, Gilani faces six months in jail and disqualification from office in a case that has fanned political instability and may force elections.

Al Jazeera's Imtiaz Tyab reports from Islamabad.