Pakistan court gives prime minister more time to resolve corruption dispute

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf of Pakistan told the country's Supreme Court on Monday that he wants to resolve a long-running quarrel between the government and the judiciary that cost his predecessor his job.

Ashraf appeared before the court Monday to face contempt proceedings over the government's refusal to carry out the judges' request to push Swiss authorities to reopen an old corruption case against President Asif Ali Zardari.

"I am serious in my desire to resolve this issue," Ashraf told the Supreme Court justices, saying he wished to avoid a confrontation with the judiciary.

The court adjourned the case until September 18, giving the prime minister more time "to make genuine and serious efforts to understand the issue and then to take steps to implement orders of the court."