THE LATEST crisis in Pakistan is likely to be over on 19th January, 2012 when the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has reportedly consented to appear before the Supreme Court. The main players in the latest crisis are the former Prime Minister Mr Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan the ex Pakistan cricket captain, the Supreme Court Chief Justice Choudhary and General Kayani. They all want re-open the earlier pending corruption cases against the President, Asif Ali Zaradri and other officials.

With Gilani’s appearance before the Court and his willingness to vacate his seat, there is likelyhood of a peaceful atmosphere in Pakistan.

The judiciary has been pressuring the government to reopen cases of alleged money laundering against the President Asif Ali Zardari and others since December 2009, when it struck down a graft amnesty issued by former Military ruler General Pervez Musharraf. But Galani was of the opinion that the President can’t be asked to appear him before any court of law since he is the Supreme Commander and hence is exempted from appearing before the court.

Gilani called on the military and the judiciary to defend democracy at all cost. A resolution in the Assembly with two third majority was also approved to maintain democracy. And if need be, he is willing to sacrifice his Prime Minister ship too if he is held in contemptof court. He further said that the Constitution is more sovereign than even the Parliament. Gilani is willing to take any step that  strengthens the Government and the Parliament.