Pakistan's Supreme Court is to charge Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with contempt for failing to reopen corruption cases against the president.

Mr Gilani must appear before the court on 13 February. If convicted he faces jail and being barred from office.

The prime minister has refused to ask Swiss officials to reopen a corruption case against President Zardari, saying he has immunity as head of state. The president rejects the corruption charges as politically motivated.

Recent weeks have seen intense political uncertainty in Pakistan, with the government at loggerheads with the country's powerful military as well as the judiciary.

Although tension with the military appears to have subsided, critics argue that in pursuing the prime minister the Supreme Court is doing the army's bidding, BBC News reported.

Pakistan has had three military coups since independence in 1947 but analysts believe the army has little appetite for a takeover now. Most observers predict an early general election later this year.

Mr Gilani has already appeared before the court - on 19 January - when he refused to back down.