News Desk: In a big blow to Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the Supreme Court has convicted him in the contempt of court case for failing to reopen the graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

 

Even though, Gilani has not been awarded imprisonment, the court gave him a symbolic punishment of sentence for '30 seconds'.


It was expected that Gilani could be disqualified from office and face a six-month prison term if convicted in the case. However, Gilani walked out of the court with smile.

The judgment has disqualified Gilani as the Member of the Parliament under Article 63 of the Pakistan's Constitution. Pakistan media says that he may file a review petition soon.


He had earlier pleaded that the President enjoys immunity from prosecution while in office.


The Pakistan apex court had been putting pressure on the government to reopen the graft cases against Zardari in Switzerland since December 2009.


Gilani had refused to write to the Swiss government to reopen graft cases against President Zardari, saying the President enjoyed immunity within Pakistan and abroad.


Earlier, Gilani had appeared in the apex court twice. He was formally charged with contempt of court on February 13.

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