“If I write a letter it will be a violation of the constitution, which is treason and which carries the death sentence,” Gilani said on Thursday.
“If I don’t write, I will be convicted for contempt, the punishment for which is six months’ imprisonment,” Gilani said, adding that “It’s better to face six months’ imprisonment than face the death sentence.”
The Supreme Court had earlier ordered Pakistan’s government to write the letter which centers on millions of dollars in kickbacks that Zardari and his late wife, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, allegedly received from Swiss cargo companies in the 1990s.
However, the government refused to take the measure, arguing that Zardari has immunity from prosecution as head of state.
The refusal led to the Supreme Court indicting Gilani for contempt of court.
In Pakistan, prime ministers are not usually called to court and the order for Gilani’s appearance before the tribunal denotes the seriousness of the issue.
PM/MA