It can be done, but it's tricky. Here's a script that I wrote to test Module::Install and ExtUtils::MakeMaker. 
#!/usr/bin/perl -l

use strict;
use warnings;

$|=1;

open STDOUT, '>-';
system("xterm -e cpan -ft Module::Install &");
close STDOUT; 

use CPAN;
CPAN::Shell->test("ExtUtils::MakeMaker");

[download]

Update: The script requires a lot of RAM, so it may or may not work for you. Try some other commands until it works.

Update: This will probably work better for you. 
#!/usr/bin/perl -l

use strict;
use warnings;

$| =1;

open STDOUT, '>-';
system("du /usr/lib/perl5 &");
close STDOUT;

open STDOUT, '>-';
system("xterm -e du /usr/lib/perl5 &");
close STDOUT;

[download]

In reply to Re^3: Run a shell command in a new terminal from a perl script? by Khen1950fx
in thread Run a shell command in a new terminal from a perl script? by ironside

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