Gilani should quit, says opposition

Islamabad, Apr 26 (ANI): Following the Supreme Court's conviction of Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in connection with a contempt of court case, opposition leaders have demanded that Gilani resign.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan wrote on the microblogging website Twitter, "After SC judgement, PM has lost whatever shred of legal and moral authority he had. He must resign immed and ECP must notify his 5 year disqual," The News reported.

Imran said the PTI will always stand by the law and the Supreme Court, and that his party will not accept any political defiance and ridicule of the apex court's decisions.

Jamaat-e-Islami President Saeed Munawer Hassan said his party would ask for Gilani's resignation, as it was the right thing to do. He further added that the PPP remains adamant on repeating its history of going against the law and flouting the court.

Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif also demanded Gilani's resignation.

"The court verdict is based on truth and reality. It must have punished the prime minister with a heavy heart, but the prime minister himself is to be blamed," The Express Tribune quoted him, as saying.

The Supreme Court on Thursday found Gilani guilty of contempt of court, but gave him only a symbolic sentence, which lasted for 30 seconds. He was charged for refusing to obey an order to write to the authorities in Switzerland, asking them to re-open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. (ANI)