Gilani won't appeal verdict in contempt of court case

Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has decided not to appeal his conviction by the Supreme Court for contempt of court, his counsel said yesterday.

The decision was taken after Speaker of National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza on Thursday ruled out disqualification of the prime minister as member of parliament as a consequence of the April 26 Supreme Court verdict convicting Gilani.

Counsel Aitzaz Ahsan told reporters in Lahore during thorough consultations among the leadership of the Pakistan People's Party that it was decided by consensus not to go in appeal.

Issue settled

He said the speaker had settled the issue of disqualification in accordance with the country's constitution and closed the door to sending a reference against the prime minister to the Election Commission.

Ahsan contended that the verdict against the PM was likely to stay as no appeal was being filed but, he asserted, it would in no way affect Gilani's position as chief executive of the country.

The conviction will not even prevent Gilani for running in elections in future as, according to him, a person could not contest polls if sentenced by a court to imprisonment for two years or more.

He further said that the prime minister could not be disqualified on the basis of a 30-second sentencing.