A top Pakistani court has ruled that President Asif Ali Zardari must relinquish his position as chief of the country's ruling party.

The Lahore High Court ruled on Thursday on a petition filed by a lawyer who had argued that Pakistan's constitution prohibits the president to also head a political party.

A spokeswoman for Zardari says she had not seen the ruling and declined comment.

It's unclear what impact the ruling will have, but it will likely to put Zardari on the defensive. His Pakistan's People's Party is seen as very unpopular and has struggled to keep its ruling coalition intact.

Zardari could ignore the ruling or appeal it, which could stretch out the proceedings for many more months.