The Supreme Court of Pakistan today disqualified Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani from holding office, two months after convicting him for contempt for refusing to ask Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against the president Asif Ali Zardari, local media has reported.

The Supreme Court ordered Mr Zardari to take steps to elect a new prime minister.

Gilani was declared 'disqualified' since April 26th by the Supreme Court judgement, which means any actions he took as Prime Minister from that date onwards will be deemed as contempt of court, our source says.

Due to the announcement, security in the Red Zone has been put on high-alert.