The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday disqualified Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani as he had failed to file appeal against his conviction in contempt of court, local media reported.

In April, the court convicted the prime minister after he had refused to accept its orders to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

The three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, ordered the Election Commission to issue notification of PM's disqualification.

Gilani will be considered disqualified since April 26. He has been disqualified for holding any public office for five years.

The Supreme Court in its verdict advised the president to take steps to continue the democratic process.

The court has asked the prime minister to file appeal in 30 days against his conviction.

The federal cabinet stands dissolved immediately after the Supreme Court ruled that Gilani is ineligible to hold office.

Gilani will not be a member of parliament following the verdict.

The court has also ordered President Zardari to nominate a new prime minister.

President Asif Ali Zardari has convened an emergency meeting of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to review the situation after the court's verdict, official sources said.

It added that the president, who is also co-chairman of the PPP, is reviewing options including appointment of a new prime minister.

The controversy started when the Supreme Court ruled in April that Gilani defied a court order to write to the Swiss authorities and ask them to reopen the cases against President Zardari.

The prime minister, his ministers and defence counsel argued President Zardari has international immunity against criminal proceedings for as long as he is president.

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