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Gilani held guilty of contempt but will not be arrested

Apr 26, 2012

16:43 (IST)

00:00 Full text of Pakistan Supreme Court's order on Yousuf Raza Gilani
The Pakistan Supreme Court today held Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani guilty of contempt for refusing to reopen an old corruption case against President Asif Ali Zardari and convicted him till the rising of the court.

Apr 26, 2012

16:41 (IST)

00:00 Update: Opposition leaders Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan have demanded that Mr Gilani step down immediately. "If the Prime Minister will not obey the law, why will anyone else in the country?' asked Tehrik-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan.

Apr 26, 2012

10:56 (IST)

00:00 Gilani punished by Supreme Court for 30 seconds: 10 big facts
Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday found Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani guilty of contempt of court, but gave him only a symbolic sentence of a few minutes' detention in the courtroom. Here are 10 big facts on this story:

Apr 26, 2012

10:22 (IST)

00:00 Gilani convicted for violating article 63 1 (G) of the Constitution of Pakistan.

"Verdict not fair," Gilani tells Pakistan media. He is expected to appeal against the verdict.

Apr 26, 2012

10:21 (IST)

00:00 In a symbolic sentence that lasted 30 seconds, Mr Gilani had to remain in court as the seven judges of the bench delivered judgement, rose, and left the court.

Apr 26, 2012

10:21 (IST)

00:00

Smiling and waving at supporters, Gilani leaves court.

Apr 26, 2012

10:14 (IST)

00:00 The PM will not be arrested or jailed yet. The ruling coalition will meet at 2 pm to decide their future course of action.

Apr 26, 2012

10:12 (IST)

00:00 Short hearing; it took the judges just 5-7 minutes to announce that the Prime Minister was guilty of contempt for failing to act on its directive to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. Mr Gilani appeared before the seven-member bench with a smile on the face and flanked by ministers and supporters in a big show of strength.

Apr 26, 2012

10:12 (IST)

00:00 Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani held guilty of contempt of court.

Apr 26, 2012

10:11 (IST)

00:00 Gilani charged for contempt of court.

Apr 26, 2012

10:06 (IST)

00:00 Judges arrive in court; judgement expected shortly

Apr 26, 2012

09:53 (IST)

00:00

Apr 26, 2012

09:52 (IST)

00:00 Gilani enters court room number 4, where the verdict is expected to be announced shortly.

Apr 26, 2012

09:51 (IST)

00:00 He is accompanied by Interior Minister Rehman Malik and his son Abdul Qadir Gilani.

Apr 26, 2012

09:51 (IST)

00:00

Showered with rose petals by supporters along the way, PM Gilani entered the Supreme Court premises on foot via the Judges Gate.

Apr 26, 2012

09:49 (IST)

00:00

Apr 26, 2012

09:48 (IST)

00:00 Unlike earlier hearings, PM Gilani walked the path after getting down from his car at the gate of the Pakistan Supreme Court.

Apr 26, 2012

09:47 (IST)

00:00 Yousuf Raza Gilani reaches Supreme Court.

Apr 26, 2012

09:37 (IST)

00:00 Ahead of that important judgement, PM Gilani's lawyer Mr Aitzaz Ahsan said, "This is an important day. Today the court will decide and whatever decision it takes, PM Gilani will accept that happily even if the court awards punishment. Court can acquit, it can punish also. If there is a punishment, some people will consider this a historical verdict. PM to remain in office even after adverse verdict".

Apr 26, 2012

09:30 (IST)

00:00 Here's a look at the likely scenarios in the Gilani judgement;

Gilani is likely to continue to say no to asking the Swiss authorities to reopen cases against President Asif Ali Zardari and could be convicted of contempt of court. The Supreme Court has been pressuring the government to revive cases of alleged money laundering against Mr Zardari in Switzerland since December 2009, when it struck down a graft amnesty issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf. Mr Gilani has refused to act, saying the President enjoys immunity within Pakistan and abroad.
He might still continue as PM or could be replaced. Even if Mr Gilani is replaced, his party, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) could refuse to write to the Swiss authorities.

Apr 26, 2012

03:08 (IST)

00:00
PM Gilani will appear before a seven-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan today at 9:30 am Islamabad time (10:00 am IST). He has previously appeared before the Supreme Court on January 19 and February 13. Watch this space for live updates the court decides the fate of the Pakistan PM in this contempt case.

Apr 26, 2012

03:03 (IST)

00:00 Pakistan's Minister for Interior Rehman Malik has said that entry in the courtroom would be allowed to those who have been issued passes during Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's appearance before the Supreme Court. He was talking to mediapersons after chairing a high-level meeting held in Islamabad on Wednesday to review law and order situation and security arrangements made for the PM's appearance.

Apr 26, 2012

02:21 (IST)

00:00 Pakistan Supreme Court to decide Prime Minister Gilani's fate
Pakistan waits with bated breath for the Supreme Court's ruling on a contempt case against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani that could see him jailed or thrown out of office, as he vowed to appear in person on Thursday to face the verdict.