ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of protestors took to the streets on Thursday in support of the prime minister after he was convicted of contempt of court for refusing to reopen a corruption investigation against the president.

The Supreme Court found Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani guilty of contempt over his refusal to obey an order to write to the authorities in Switzerland to ask them to restart corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

At least 500 workers and supporters from the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) staged demonstrations in several areas of Karachi, capital of Zardari's home province of Sindh.

They burnt tyres and chanted: “One Zardari enough for all rivals” and “Gilani! We are with you.” More than 100 people rallied outside the parliament in Islamabad to criticise the guilty verdict against Gilani.

Wearing black armbands the protesters, including women and students belonging to the PPP, called the Supreme Court judgment a “political victimisation” of the party, an AFP reporter said.

They burnt tyres and blocked the road forcing police to divert traffic.

The protestors also destroyed a traditional weighing balance, considered a symbol of justice, after spitting and stomping on it. Police did not intervene.

They also shouted slogans against the chief justice.

“Injustice in the name of justice is unacceptable,” a banner carried by a PPP supporter read.

Protest rallies against the sentence to the prime minister were staged in several towns and districts across Sindh.

“People in several districts took to the streets, set ablaze tyres and chanted slogans in favour of the prime minister,” a senior official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

“Traffic remained thin and most of shops and markets in several towns and villages were closed,” he said.