BBC (UK), DAWN (Pakistan)
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered the arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on corruption allegations.
Ashraf has been accused of accepting bribes during his term as minister for water and power in 2010. Authorities have 24 hours to take him into custody, along with 15 others included in the charges.
Pakistan daily Dawn notes that allegations in that the RPP energy giant received government subsidies for projects that suffered large delays or didn’t happen at all.
Though these accusations might not force him out of his position, Ashraf suffered a serious blow to his credibility as protesters celebrated the court’s decision, reports the BBC. His predecessor was forced from office in another showdown with the judiciary.
The 62-year-old has denied all accusations.
