Following the serving of notices on him by the Supreme Court for not reopening the corruption cases against the President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today offered to step down from his post.

Gilani made this offer at a meeting of the leaders of the coalition partners where top PPP leaders were also present.

The Supreme Court served notices on the Prime Minister for contempt of court for not implementing its order on reopening the graft cases against Asif Ali Zardari. It may be recalled that the Pakistan top court had earlier asked Yousuf Raza Gilani to reopen a money laundering case against Zardari. The case was pending since December 2009.

The apex court has also ordered a probe into the alleged memo purportedly written by the President to the US authorities seeking their help to stave off a possible military coup in the wake of the killing of the Osama bin Laden last year.

The coalition leaders discussed the offer made by the Prime Minister to quit and its possible impact in reducing the intensity of the stand-off between the government and the military commanders. The meeting was also attended by Asif Ali Zardari.

The names of PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira, Religious Affairs Minister Khursheed Shah and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi of the PML—Q are being considered to succeed Gilani in case he quits. (JUBS)