Pakistan disqualifies Prime Minister from office

Pakistan’s top court ruled today that the country’s prime minister is “disqualified” from office due to an earlier contempt conviction.

The Supreme Court ordered the country’s election commission to formally dismiss Yousuf Reza Gilani and said he was no longer Prime Minister.

There was no immediate response from Mr Gilani or his party, which heads a ruling coalition, but the verdict delivered what appeared to be a fatal blow against the premier’s political career and ushered in political turmoil.

He was convicted in April for refusing to open a corruption probe against his boss, president Asif Ali Zardari, and he has been refusing to step down.

The Supreme Court ruling came in response to petitions filed against Mr Gilani for not standing down after that conviction.

Party supporters have said they believe they have the support in parliament to elect a new Prime Minister in the event of Mr Gilani’s disqualification.