Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday disqualified Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in a stunning move that is likely to throw the country into fresh turmoil two months after the premier was convicted of contempt. (Read: Supreme Court order on Gilani)
The Supreme Court on April 26 convicted Mr Gilani for refusing to ask Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari in a highly politicised case. Under the constitution, anyone convicted of defaming or ridiculing the judiciary is barred from being a Member of Parliament.
The matter fell first to the speaker of Parliament, a member of the main ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP), who on May 24 announced that there was "no question of disqualification".
Mr Gilani subsequently decided not to appeal his conviction in a move interpreted as an effort not to antagonise the court into disqualifying him.
But on Tuesday, the Supreme Court did so anyway.
"Yousuf Raza Gilani is disqualified from membership of parliament from April 26, the date of his conviction. He has also ceased to be the prime minister of Pakistan," said chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, reading the order.
"The Election Commission shall issue a notice of disqualification and the president is required to take necessary steps to ensure continuation of democratic process," he added.
The Supreme Court on April 26 convicted Mr Gilani for refusing to ask Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari in a highly politicised case. Under the constitution, anyone convicted of defaming or ridiculing the judiciary is barred from being a Member of Parliament.
Mr Gilani subsequently decided not to appeal his conviction in a move interpreted as an effort not to antagonise the court into disqualifying him.
Advertisement
"Yousuf Raza Gilani is disqualified from membership of parliament from April 26, the date of his conviction. He has also ceased to be the prime minister of Pakistan," said chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, reading the order.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Imran Khan Has TV, Kitchen, Workout Tools, And More In Jail: Pak Court Told Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Hanged To Death, Didn't Get Fair Trial: Pak Supreme Court Pakistan's Supreme Court Upholds Musharraf's Death Penalty A Year After His Death Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death "Strong Indications" Bangladesh Security Forces Used "Unnecessary" Force: UN Delhi Experienced 15 Consecutive Days Of Rainfall, Says Weather Department Pilot Dies After Plane Crashes During Aerobatic Show In France Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.