ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday filed an appeal against the apex court's ruling in the contempt case barring him from contesting elections and holding any public office for five years, DawnNews reported.

On June 19, 2012, the Supreme Court had declared Gilani disqualified from holding a seat in the parliament from the date of his conviction on April 26 by a seven-member bench for contempt of court for not implementing its ruling in the case against the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

Speaking to media representatives outside the court, the former premier said not writing a letter to Swiss authorities to reopen a graft case against President Asif Ali Zardari at the time was the party’s collective decision.

Reiterating his earlier stance on presidential immunity, Gilani said he still believed that the head of state enjoyed immunity from criminal prosecution while in office.

Defending his counsel in the contempt of court case, the PPP leader said Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan had managed his duties in a responsible manner.

The former premier moreover said that his decision of not writing the letter was as the country's prime minister whereas he was sentenced as an individual.