Gilani vows to stay in office and explore all options

Islamabad As his legal team prepares to steer an appeal at the Supreme Court against his conviction of contempt of court, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has vowed to stay in office until he has exhausted all options.

"I have no desire to stick to power but I will take it to finality and exhaust all avenues," Gilani told reporters.

As the detailed verdict announced by the top court on Tuesday provides no clear answer to whether Gilan stands disqualified or not, the controversy goes on.

The main opposition party, the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) headed by former two-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif said Gilani must step down as no convict could hold the top office.

"Our party will continue its ongoing movement until the removal of Gilani who has no legal and moral right to cling to power," PML-N spokesperson Senator Mushahidullah Khan said.

Imran Khan, whose Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf or Justice Movement has emerged as a popular force on the national political scene, said a convicted person was not acceptable as PM.

But Khan reiterated his party's policy to wait for a court decision on Gilani's expected appeal as, he said, the convict had right of appeal.

Rally planned

The Tehreek, which looks to be gaining ground in its struggle to give the electorate a viable third option in national politics traditionally dominated by PML-N and Pakistan People's Party (PPP), held a march in Islamabad four days ago to demonstrate solidarity with the judiciary. Later this month it plans to hold a rally at the Liaquat Garden in Rawalpindi on May 27.

The prime minister says he has upheld the constitution which gives complete immunity to head of state, by not following a Supreme Court order to ask Swiss authorities to reopen old graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

"Why should I fear those who are against the constitution?" Gilani said.

In the detailed verdict, the court rejected the argument that a letter to Swiss authorities could not be written as long as Zardari was president, saying it amounted to saying the court order was not implementable.

"If accepted, this argument can set a dangerous precedent and anyone will then successfully flout the orders of the courts..." the court said in the 77-page verdict.