Favouring the verdict, many citizens suggested that Gilani should have resigned on April 26 following his conviction for contempt of court.

They were of the view that the court’s decision had restored the credibility of the apex court, especially after the Malik Riaz scandal. They said in spite of many conspiracies, the judiciary had upheld the law and the constitution of the country.

Many of them demanded that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) should announce holding the next general elections, instead of appointing another “puppet” prime minister.

They said the disqualification had come “too late” as Gilani, his sons and his cabinet had already inflicted a lot of damage and the prices of essential commodities and electricity were spiralling out of control. “The Gilani-led government made tall and hollow claims, instead of serving the masses,” lamented Rizwan Ahmed, a sales representative. “Gilani’s departure from the PM House will be of no avail as President Asif Ali Zardari will replace him with another ‘puppet’, and he too will meet the same fate.”

Rafique Ahmed, who owns a shop at Burns Road, said the disqualification was a “good omen”, as it would not only strengthen the vital organ of the government, but also restore people’s confidence in the chief justice.

“The population has been suffering from high inflation, power shortage and poor law and order conditions, but the Supreme Court’s decision has come as a relief to them.”

He urged the president to announce holding the next elections so that the people could elect a “genuine” candidate, who would steer the country away from its present social and economic crises.

However, Samreen Arif, a stenographer at a private firm, criticised the decision of disqualifying Gilani.

She was of the opinion that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was hatching a conspiracy against the PPP government.

“The decision will not benefit the so-called opposition as another PPP MNA will be elected as the prime minister because most of the elected representatives hold their allegiance to the PPP.”

Some citizens said Gilani and his cabinet had lost credibility a long time back. “He [Gilani] did nothing for the people of Pakistan. In Punjab, many people are dying due to the power crisis. In Karachi, terrorists have been given a free-hand. The economy is devastated, businesses are ruined and lives are under constant threat. In these circumstances, Gilani should have stepped down himself,” observed Noman Ahmed, a law student.

The social media was also abuzz with interesting posts, as many individuals hailed the court’s verdict. Some went so far as to suggesting Gilani should leave the country.

A post on Facebook stated that none could stop the president from reappointing Gilani as the “Prime Adviser”, just as he allotted the position of “adviser” to Rehman Malik and others disqualified by the court.

No agitation over the court’s decision was witnessed on the streets of the city, where people mostly welcomed the decision.