Pakistani PM rejects resignation calls after conviction
The prime minister challenged the opposition while speaking in the parliament to bring a no-trust motion against him, saying nobody can remove him from his office except the parliament.
The apex court convicted Gilani for "willful flouting and disregard" to repeated court orders to revive graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
A seven-member bench handed down a symbolic sentence of nearly 30 seconds till the rising of the court.
Shortly after the court's verdict, main opposition Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and other opposition parties called for Gilani's resignation.
The opposition lawmakers Friday staged walkout of the National Assembly's session as the prime minister entered the house.
"Am I not an elected Prime Minister? Do I not represent 180 million people of Pakistan? Nobody can remove me from the office of Prime Minister except the parliamentary Speaker. This is in the law and the constitution," he told the National Assembly, Lower House of the parliament.
"Whatever the decisions, an elected Prime Minister cannot be removed without due process," he added and addressed the Speaker, "I also want to tell that Madam Speaker you are not merely a post office. But, you also have to apply your own mind on disqualification."
Prime Minister Gilani will file a review appeal against his conviction after the court issues a detailed verdict.
Political observers believe that the court's verdict has pushed the government to another crisis. The country is now facing challenges of the militancy, severe power shortage, high prices and unemployment.
President Asif Ali Zardari, cabinet ministers, allies and ruling Pakistan Peoples Party threw support behind Gilani and decided that he will continue as prime minister.
Gilani had told a foreign TV channel last month that he would step down if he was convicted by the court.
