<p>Pakistan's Supreme Court today convicted Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for contempt of court for refusing to revive graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari and sentenced him to a symbolic "till the rising of the court", sparing him a jail term.<br /></p>.<p>During proceedings in courtroom number 4 that lasted less than 10 minutes, the seven-judge bench headed by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk announced the verdict and said Gilani's sentence would last "till the rising of the court" or till the completion of the hearing.<br /><br />The judges left the court immediately after announcing the verdict, effectively ending 56-year-old Gilani's sentence.<br /><br />However, legal experts were divided on whether Gilani's conviction would lead to his disqualification. They said the court's detailed order would provide clarity in this regard.<br />Emerging from the court, Gilani told the media: "We had sought justice. The decision was not appropriate".<br /><br />The maximum sentence that could have been given to Gilani in this case was six months.Earlier, Gilani drove in a small motorcade to the Supreme Court complex, where members of his council of ministers were waiting for him.<br /><br />The premier then walked towards the building flanked by his son Abdul Qadeer Gilani and Interior Minister Rehman Malik as his supporters showered rose petals on him.<br /><br />He stopped at the door of the building and waved to his supporters before going inside. The proceedings in the packed courtroom began at around 9.30 am.<br /><br />After the judges entered the room, Gilani walked and stood at the rostrum with Law Minister Farooq Naek and his lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan.<br /><br />The government put in place strict security arrangements for Gilani's third appearance in the Supreme Court in the contempt case.<br /><br />Helicopters mounted aerial surveillance were also put in place while over 2,000 security personnel were deployed in the "Red Zone" where the apex court and parliament is located.<br /><br />The Supreme Court has been pushing the government to reopen cases of money laundering against President Zardari in Switzerland since December 2009, when it struck down a graft amnesty (National Reconciliation Ordinance) issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.<br /><br />The government has refused to act, saying the President enjoys immunity in Pakistan and abroad.</p>
<p>Pakistan's Supreme Court today convicted Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for contempt of court for refusing to revive graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari and sentenced him to a symbolic "till the rising of the court", sparing him a jail term.<br /></p>.<p>During proceedings in courtroom number 4 that lasted less than 10 minutes, the seven-judge bench headed by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk announced the verdict and said Gilani's sentence would last "till the rising of the court" or till the completion of the hearing.<br /><br />The judges left the court immediately after announcing the verdict, effectively ending 56-year-old Gilani's sentence.<br /><br />However, legal experts were divided on whether Gilani's conviction would lead to his disqualification. They said the court's detailed order would provide clarity in this regard.<br />Emerging from the court, Gilani told the media: "We had sought justice. The decision was not appropriate".<br /><br />The maximum sentence that could have been given to Gilani in this case was six months.Earlier, Gilani drove in a small motorcade to the Supreme Court complex, where members of his council of ministers were waiting for him.<br /><br />The premier then walked towards the building flanked by his son Abdul Qadeer Gilani and Interior Minister Rehman Malik as his supporters showered rose petals on him.<br /><br />He stopped at the door of the building and waved to his supporters before going inside. The proceedings in the packed courtroom began at around 9.30 am.<br /><br />After the judges entered the room, Gilani walked and stood at the rostrum with Law Minister Farooq Naek and his lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan.<br /><br />The government put in place strict security arrangements for Gilani's third appearance in the Supreme Court in the contempt case.<br /><br />Helicopters mounted aerial surveillance were also put in place while over 2,000 security personnel were deployed in the "Red Zone" where the apex court and parliament is located.<br /><br />The Supreme Court has been pushing the government to reopen cases of money laundering against President Zardari in Switzerland since December 2009, when it struck down a graft amnesty (National Reconciliation Ordinance) issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.<br /><br />The government has refused to act, saying the President enjoys immunity in Pakistan and abroad.</p>
