Islamabad : Main opposition PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif today warned that his party would launch a nationwide protest if Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani did not resign following his conviction of contempt by the Supreme Court.

"Accept the Supreme Court's order and leave the Prime Minister's post or face a movement of protests. This is the final verdict of our party," Sharif told a news conference after chairing a meeting of the top leadership of the PML-N that discussed the fallout of the apex court's order.

Sharif further warned that the PML-N will launch protests in parliament and across the country and a movement against the Pakistan People's Party-led government if Gilani did not resign.

He said he would contact other opposition leaders, including Imran Khan and leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, and dissidents in the PPP about launching a movement against the government.

"This is not the time to look back. It will be tantamount to treason if no movement is launched," he said.

Sharif is among the opposition politicians who have called on Gilani to resign following his conviction of contempt on April 26 for refusing to revive graft cases in Switzerland against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Sharif has threatened to launch a "long march" if the government fails to implement the Supreme Court's orders.