The appeal consists of  200 pages having 54 legal points.

The appeal, filed by the prime minister’s counsel, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, requested the court to postpone the indictment.

It moreover said that the ruling was given without the premier being given an opportunity to defend himself directly.

Ahsan said he based the appeal on precedents set by top courts in Australia, Britain, France, India and the United States.

“I have filed an appeal today. I have quoted more than 50 national and international cases and given specific reasons against the Supreme Court order,” Ahsan told reporters.

A court official confirmed that the appeal had been received.

If convicted of contempt, the prime minister could be jailed for up to six months and disqualified from public office.

Ahsan called for an early hearing of the appeal.