Breaking News - Crisis in Pakistan as court orders arrest of PM

[NewsCaster]

T. Mughal / EPA, filePakistan's Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf is accused of corruption during his tenure as minister for water and power.By Waj S. Khan, Producer, NBC NewsISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan was plunged into a fresh political crisis Tuesday after its judiciary ordered the arrest of the prime minister over corruption allegations amid ongoing public protests.

The country’s Supreme Court ordered the detention of Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and others accused of involvement in kickbacks over the construction of power stations  -- a surprise development in an ongoing investigation.

It comes as tens of thousands of protesters occupy streets in the capital, Islamabad, demanding the resignation of the entire government.Slideshow: Pakistan: A nation in turmoilMuhammed Muheisen / APImages of daily life, political pursuits, religious rites and deadly violence.Launch slideshow

NBCNews