The Seven-member Supreme Court bench convicted Gilani of contempt on April 26 by refusing to implement the court orders of initiating criminal proceedings against President Asif Ali Zardari.
The conviction and symbolic sentence not only initiated a legal debate in the country but also sparked a political campaign from the opposition demanding the Prime Minister to resign after conviction.
The short order created an ambiguity about the fate of PM as many were of the view the bench had hinted that Gilani faced possible disqualification.
Opposition leader Nawaz Sharif welcomed the judgment and continued demanding the Prime Minister to resign after being convicted as guilty of not accepting the court verdict. "Prime Minister is trying to protect his corrupt President who looted public money and that money has to be returned back", said Nawaz while addressing a public gathering in Sindh province, the power base of ruling people party.
This detailed judgment came at a time when Pakistan is in a fix to settle its differences with US over certain issues most importantly on the issue of NATO supplies and Drones attacks as despite approval from the Pakistani parliament, Pakistan still holding NATO supplies trying its best to use its leverage to stop Drones strikes. Americans despite mounting pressure from Pakistani sides refused to change its drone policy but also putting pressure by counter allegations that other Al-Qaeda leaders including Dr. Aiman Al-Zahawari are hiding inside Pakistan.
US secretary of state Hillary Clintons statement while touring India demanding Pakistan to do more is also being considered as part of their pressure tactics to pressurize Pakistan of withdrawing its demand of change in policy especially stoppage of drones strikes.
US -Indian nexus over alleging Pakistan for not doing enough against militants have marked many questions among masses causing widespread criticism against Gilani government as like other political parties ruling PPP is also trying to get some relief to get public support before going to masses for fresh mandate as elections are due in few months time.
President of Supreme Court Bar Association, the apex body of lawyers in Pakistan, Yasin Azad welcomed the detailed judgment with the opinion that by not giving its final verdict on the issue of Prime Minister's disqualification Supreme Court has removed all ambiguities. "The detailed judgment on Prime Ministers disqualification has prevented any constitutional crisis and settled the dust by putting the responsibility upon the election commission and Speaker." Yasin Azad concluded.
