Pakistani Prime Minister Appeals High Court Summons

Pakistan's Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani

Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has appealed his summons by Pakistan's Supreme Court to face indictment on contempt-of-court charges.

The court must now convene a panel of nine judges to hear the appeal -- more than the seven judges who issued the original summons.

No date is scheduled for the hearing.

The Supreme Court on February 2 ordered Gilani to appear before it on February 13 to face the contempt indictment, which stems from his government's refusal to ask Switzerland to reopen a corruption investigation against President Asif Ali Zardari.

The government argues that Zardari is protected by immunity.

If convicted of contempt of court, Gilani could face six months in jail and be barred from holding public office.

Compiled from agency reports