Video Related To: Former PM Gillani’s Son Abdul Qadir Gillani Wins Bye-Election: Yet another Contempt of Court by PPP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday 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. 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. The judges left the court immediately after announcing the verdict, effectively ending 56-year-old Gilani's sentence. 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. Emerging from the court, Gilani told the media: "We had sought justice. The decision was not appropriate". 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. 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. 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 9.30am. After the judges <b>...</b>