Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani faces the prospect of being disqualified as an MP for five years after Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled that he “wilfully, deliberately and persistently” defied the highest court and brought the judiciary into “ridicule”.

Pak Supreme Court

A seven-judge bench headed by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk issued a 77-page detailed order regarding the conviction of the premier for refusing to act on directives to revive cases of alleged money laundering against President Asif Ali Zardari in Switzerland.

Earlier, the same bench had issued a short order when it convicted Gilani of contempt and gave him a symbolic sentence of less than a minute on April 26.

Even in the short order, the bench had hinted that Gilani faced possible disqualification.

Former Law Minister Wasi Zafar told the media that Gilani’s case would now go to the Speaker of the National Assembly or lower house of parliament.

The Speaker will decide whether the matter should be referred to the Chief Election Commissioner, he said.

If the Speaker decides to send the matter to the CEC, then the Election Commission will decide on the issue of disqualification, Zafar said.

Gilani, who on Tuesday embarked on a five-day official visit to Britain, has rejected demands from the opposition for his resignation after his conviction.