Pak SC cancels Zardari immunity

Islamabad, Jan. 20: Pakistan’s top court has deprived the President, Mr Asif Ali Zardari, of constitutional immunity which saves him from persecution, legal experts said.

The Supreme Court has issued a detailed judgment regarding the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) that withdrew corruption cases against several politicians including Mr Zardari.

The apex court, in a short order recently, had termed the NRO as unconstitutional and directed for reopening of cases against the beneficiaries.

“The Supreme Court’s detailed judgment on the NRO has deprived President Zardari of the immunity that he enjoyed. Now, the President will have to persuade the court if he seeks immunity,” a legal expert said.

The judgment does not discuss Mr Zardari, but like other accused, all his corruption cases, both within the country and outside, stand reopened.

Now the onus would be on Mr Zardari and his legal eagles to argue before the courts to prove that he enjoys legal or constitutional “immunity”.

“Since presidential immunity was not discussed in the NRO case, so the judgment did not discuss it either. However, the judgment talks about the revival of the pre-October 2007 situation without any exception and exemption,” the expert said.

The judgment orders the reopening of all the cases, both within Pakistan and outside, closed under the NRO.