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| Pakistani PM Raja Pervez Ashrad [PHOTO: Govt. of Pakistan] |
Islamabad: Pakistani Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the arrest of
Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in his alleged involvement in graft
cases linked to power project.
As per the court judgment authorities have to arrest Mr.
Parvez and 15 others within 24 hours.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the country's main
anti-corruption agency, had so far refused to act on the court's directive.
During today’s hearing, the bench issued a notice for
contempt of court to NAB chief Fasih Bukhari.
62-year-old Ashraf, who became Prime Minister after the exit
of Yousuf Raza Gilani in June last year, has been accused of receiving
kickbacks and commission in the rental power projects (RPPs) case as federal
minister for water and power.
The court’s judgment for the arrest came as Islamic cleric
Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri demanded the resignation of the government in protests
attended by tens of thousands of followers in front of the parliament in
Islamabad.
Ashraf was given the title of 'Raja Rental' after he was
accused of receiving kickbacks in the rental power projects. He was also
accused of buying property in London from money earned through corruption in
various scams, local media said.
Television footage showed protesters celebrating as news
broke of arrest following the court’s order.