ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said the verdict of the Supreme Court against him does not disqualify him from the office of prime minister, as he did not commit any criminal offence by not writing letter to the Swiss authorities.

“The charges against me are not of criminal nature. In a civil charge, there cannot be disqualification,” he said in an interaction with correspondents from local and foreign media, at the Prime Minister House here.

Gilani said he had followed the constitution and did not have moral turpitude on him as the article 248-1 of the constitution grants immunity to the president.

He said the clause regarding immunity had never been debated and interpreted in the country's 64-year history.

He said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) did not show patience for the detailed judgment of the Supreme Court order to come. “I do not need their (PML-N's) recognition. We do not need the alternative options but will follow the constitution and rule of law,” he added.

The prime minister on the passage of resolution in the National Assembly for the creation of provinces termed it a step forward and in accordance with 40-year desire of the people of Southern Punjab.

“A national message by the people of Southern Punjab has been sent across,” he said and mentioned that he phoned the political leaders of Awami National Party (ANP), Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Balochistan National Party (BNP) and PPP-Sherpao group to thank for their support in this regard.

On PML-N's stance for not supporting the creation of Southern Punjab province and bringing resolution on other provinces, he said today they had “lost the game” and they were trying to divert the attention from the real issues.

“They (PML-N) have been isolated and totally exposed. They are trying to gain from both sides, being simultaneously in the power and in the opposition,” he said.

The prime minister said the government was moving ahead by taking along all political forces while the PML-N was making its “solo flight.”

Asked would he reciprocate by not recognising the Punjab chief minister like the PML-N is doing him, Gilani said he had full respect for the mandate and believed in the rule of law.

“I have always supported them and will always do in future as well. I have rather opened my doors for them,” he added.