Pak amends law to save PM

In a dramatic move, the Pakistani government has amended the country's contempt of court law in a bid to save Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief, who is facing the charge in the Supreme Court.

The amended law will enable the aggrieved to appeal against a Supreme Court order.

The bill, which was taken up late last night, was passed after midnight by the natioonal assembly by an overwhelming majority.

The bill will have retrospective application from November 1, 1997, before a show-cause notice was served on the prime minister.

According to the amendment, an appeal can be filed within 30 days from the date of issue of a show-cause notice. The appeal will be heard by a full bench of the Supreme Court.

Benazir Bhutto, leader of the Opposition, has objected to the manner in which the bill was moved and passed.

Meanwhile, Sharief has asked army chief, General Jehangir Karamat, currently on an official visit to Britain and Turkey, to cut short his visit and return home.

EARLIER REPORTS:
Contempt case against Sharief adjourned
Contempt notices for Nawaz, nine others

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