Zardari Fights for Survival Following SC Verdict on NRO

PKonweb Monitor

In a major blow to President Asif Ali Zardari, the Supreme Court today unanimously declared the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), which provided amnesty to political leaders against corruption charges, as 'unconstitutional' and against 'national interest.'

The verdict by the full (17-member) bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhury is likely to stir up more turmoil in the country weakening the Presidency further.

The populist landmark historical decision by the newly independent judiciary has been hailed by the civil society and the common man on the street including the media.

President Zardari no longer has the moral authority and ground to head the federation, many say. But, whether he will do so or chose to seek cover behind the cloak of immunity guaranteed to Presidents under the constitution is another question.

Petitions challenging Zardari's eligibility as a presidential candidate are expected to follow from the court's ruling, and about a dozen senior members of Zardari's coterie of advisers will most likely face renewed corruption cases.

However, Presidential spokesperson, Farhatullah Babar, stressed both Zardari and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) respect the court's verdict, and that it would not affect the immunity enjoyed by the President.

"We believe that no criminal case can be instituted or continued in any court against a president or a governor during the term of office. So, this doesn't affect the president of Pakistan. Regarding other matters, the law will take its course and we will see what happens," the newspaper quoted Babar, as saying.

Zardari's close aide, Dr. Babar Awan, too rebuffed opposition's call for President's resignation, saying he would complete his term in office.

During the hearing, which was closely followed and scrutinized by the local media, the court raised objections, in particular, over the question of who had authorized the return of 60 million dollars in suspect gains by Zardari to foreign companies in his name after the government withdrew criminal proceedings against him in Switzerland last year.

The Supreme Court , in its verdict, said that the withdrawal of the cases against Zardari in Switzerland, which was ordered by the former Attorney General, Malik Qayyum, was illegal and that the government should contact the Swiss authorities to restore the proceedings. The court also asked the government to punish Qayyum for his unauthorized act including replacing the present NAB Chairman, the prosecutor and his deputy on grounds of lack of performance and mistrust.

While the repercussion of the apex court's monumental judgment is yet to be seen, but it has certainly added fuel to the country's troubles, which is already fighting for its existential survival under the barrage of terror attacks being carried out by extremists.