Pakistan's Supreme Court has issued a contempt order against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, raising the prospect of his prosecution. The court has been considering what to do about the government's refusal to reopen corruption cases against the president and other political figures. Mr Gilani has been ordered to appear in person at the court on 19 January. It comes on a day of several crucial challenges for the government amid ongoing tensions with the army. A key vote of confidence in Pakistan's political leadership is scheduled to be held later in parliament. And another court hearing into a controversial anonymous memo which asked for US help to avert an army coup in Pakistan, in the wake of the killing of Osama Bin Laden in May 2011, has also resumed. Correspondents say that Mr Gilani can continue as prime minister while court proceedings take place. At the heart of this case is the government's refusal to act on a recent Supreme Court order quashing a controversial amnesty, which had protected the country's senior politicians from corruption prosecutions. The deadline for the government to reopen the cases expired on Monday.