“For reasons to be recorded later, the prime minister is found guilty of contempt for willfully flouting the direction of the Supreme Court,” said Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk while reading the verdict. The judge also said Gilani’s offence “tends to bring this court and the judiciary of the country into ridicule.” Indeed, it is shameful for an elected prime minister of the country and thought provoking for the whole nation. What would be fate of the nation where chief executive has become a proclaimed law breaker?

I am not a constitutional expert and don’t know what options are still left with Gilani to be used to save his premiership. But, if he has got even a shred of self respect, he should step down from his position. Gilani should manifest his respect to the verdict and superior judiciary rather hiding behind the cabinet and coalition partners. He is convicted by apex court of the country, though was awarded a token punishment.

Gilani had faced a maximum sentence of six months in jail in the case but the court awarded him only symbolic detention until ‘the rising of the court.’ It is one of the best verdicts of the apex court as the judges have exercised discretion and judgment while convicting the prime minister. We should also give credit to Gilani for appearing before the court in person thrice and showing patience despite the prolonged court proceedings. Now, he must move one step forward and gracefully resign from his position.

The prime minister should not listen to hawks like Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and Attorney General of Pakistan Irfan Qadir who is better known as a PPP jiyala (diehard activist).  Shortly after the verdict, Kaira responded to Nawaz Sharif’s demand of resignation of the prime minister as, ‘pot is calling the kettle black.’ Kaira may be right in his assertions but he should also keep in mind that two wrongs don’t make right. Instead of criticizing others deeds, Kaira should advise Gilani to set an example by honorably leaving the premiership.

On the other hand, we can only pray for Irfan Qadir who has termed the court verdict absolutely illegal and urged the government to flout the judgment. “This order is to be ignored.” What a comment by the attorney general. Mr Qadir, it would have been better had you reserved your valuable observation.

To avoid further crisis and instability, the PPP-led coalition government should elect another leader of the house and focus a little on improving governance. So far, they have been successful in averting the looming military coup in January this year and have also smartly outsmarted other crises like memogate. This is their last year in the government; so at the very least, they should do something viable to bring a positive change in marginalized segment of the society.

Public-oriented policies in the sectors of education and health are needed. It would be wonderful if the hyperactive coalition partners pay a little heed to manage monster of the ever-rising unemployment. The coalition partners should now focus on the upcoming budget and utilize all their energies to make it public friendly, in real terms.

Goodbye, Mr Gilani and congratulations for being the longest-serving elected prime minister of Pakistan. As they have majority in the parliament, PPP-led coalition partners should elect another leader of the house to end the crisis instead of indulging in allegations and counter allegations.

P.S: Now, the apex court should also direct its attention to cases of ordinary people. The honourable judges can also make headlines and win respect of the masses by awarding justice to those who are nobodies in this country. We hope the judges will hear cases of Khuda Bux and Bakho (common people) with the same zeal to uphold rule of law as they exhibited in case of all-powerful prime minister.

Just for the political revenges, they keep on holding a particular case as to be able to use it as a weapon against someone when needed. I ask a simple question; what took so long for the Supreme Court to pronounce the decision? Answer is simple likewise, that Supreme Court continued the hearing and pronounced the decision when Zardari wanted it to. Now who the hell still says that Judiciary is independent in Pakistan?

Furthermore, if I am not wrong, Benazir and Zardari’s corruption cases were also forgiven when the reconciliation order was passed. Why someone doesn’t question that? And about beloved Musharraf’s case, he hasn’t been questioned yet for whatever he had been doing for past 9 years. So it’s really a shame and a slap on the faces of all those who still say that the current Judiciary is free and fair.

About this decision of Supreme Court, my opinion is that the hatred against the government is rising, and the support for Lawyers’ Movement is going to be at its peak. And I think this step of Zardari is enough to create a great political turmoil and to hyper the tensions.