All of a sudden the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has legally become Former Prime Minister, as he has joined the Elite Club of "Convicted Politicians".
The other elite personalities of the "Convicted Politicians Club" are Co-Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party, The President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, who was convicted during the proceeding of SGS Cotecna Case in 2003, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan, who was convicted during the proceedings of Sita White Case in 1997, Pakistan Peoples Party Stalwart Interior Minister Rehman Malik who was convicted in 2010.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan convicted Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani during the announcement of a verdict in the Contempt Proceedings against him and sentenced him till the "Rising of Court", i.e. long enough sentence to make him "Disqualified as a member of National Assembly".
The bench found Gilani guilty of Contempt of Court for refusing to reopen Corruption Cases against the President, but gave him only a symbolic sentence of a Few Minutes’ Detention in the Courtroom, while he did not receive any Jail Term.
"For reasons to be recorded later, the Prime Minister is found guilty of contempt for wilfully flouting the direction of the Supreme Court," said Justice Nasirul Mulk.
The Court cited Article 63 (1) (g) of the Constitution and observed that the premier might face consequences under it.
The judicial bench exited the courtroom as soon as the verdict was announced.
The Article 63 (1) (g) of the Constitution says:
63. Disqualifications for membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).
(1) A person shall be disqualified from being elected or chosen as, and from being, a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), if:-
(g) he is propagating any opinion, or acting in any manner, prejudicial to the Ideology of Pakistan, or the sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan, or morality, or the maintenance of public order, or the integrity or independence of the judiciary of Pakistan, or which defames or brings into ridicule the judiciary or the Armed Forces of Pakistan.
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