ISLAMABAD, Jan 15 � Pakistan today plunged into fresh political turmoil months ahead of general elections with the Supreme Court ordering arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf for allegedly receiving bribes in power projects, reports PTI.
Already rocked by fiery cleric Tahirul Qadri�s ongoing protest demanding dissolution of provincial and national assemblies, Pakistan appeared headed for uncertainty with a three-judge apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry setting a 24-hour deadline for authorities to implement its arrest orders that may cost a second Prime Minister his job in less than a year.
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.
His predecessor Gilani had to quit in the midst of a raging battle with the Supreme Court over his refusal to write to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari there. � PTI
