Chowrangi

Just like people eagerly wait for the moon sighting announcement before Eid, people in Pakistan were glued to their TV sets since 4:30 pm as Supreme Court of Pakistan was about to announce the decision on NRO cases. Court’s decision was delayed for almost 7 hours due to consultation between judges of full court inside the committee room after the hearing of the case while public desperately awaited the outcome.

Controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance NRO, the deal which was announced two years ago by then-president Pervez Musharraf, allowed Zardari and Benazir Bhutto, his wife, to return from self-exile without facing corruption charges. But the NRO has been branded unconstitutional and the debate over its legitimacy has received a great deal of coverage in media. The amnesty provided cover to more than 8,000 cases and civil rights activists argued that it was unjust to help so many escape prosecution for alleged wrongdoing.

Finally full bench of Supreme Court has declared NRO Null and Void and in contravention of constitution. SC also ordered to revive & re-open cases of beneficiaries of the black ordinance. Swiss cases against President Zardari are also to be reopened.

The ruling paves the way for further challenges to President Asif Ali Zardari’s already shaky rule. It also causes political turbulence just as the U.S. wants Islamabad to step up its fight against Taliban militants.

As president, Mr. Zardari enjoys general immunity from prosecution under article 248. But the ruling leaves others, including Cabinet ministers loyal to Mr. Zardari, facing reopened corruption and other criminal cases. That prospect is sure to weaken the President, who is unpopular and under pressure to give up much of his power.

Image: Absar Ahmed