Pakistan is always in a state of political upheaval. This time, in a major political setback to President Asif Ali Zardari, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has declared the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) null and void, and ordered that criminal and civil cases withdrawn under this controversial law be restored and proceedings reinitiated against the accused.
One can recall that several corruption cases against President Zardari, and thousands of other criminal and civil cases against more than 8,000 others, were closed under the terms of the NRO, decreed by the former President, Pervez Musharraf, in 2007. According to the ordinance, the federal government or a provincial government may withdraw from the prosecution of any person including an absconding accused who is found to be falsely involved for political reasons or through political victimization in any case instated first day of January, 1986 to October 12, 1999 before the judgment is pronounced by a trial court.
Possible Implications:
1. The ruling is expected to pave the way for several petitions in the Supreme Court, challenging both Zardari’s eligibility to contest the 2008 presidential election and the immunity that is granted to him under the Constitution.
2. Several other important political personalities, including Interior Minister Rehman Malik, could also be affected by this judgment.
3. If Zardari is going to be affected then the entire present set up would be disturbed and Pakistan may go through another phase of political turmoil.
4. Zardari cannot be prosecuted because of presidential immunity, but a revival of graft cases against officials close to him could deal a lethal political blow.
The political condition of Zardari has further weakened by his controversial policies - such as signing a conditional US aid package - have enraged the allpowerful military and ordinary Pakistanis. Political tensions have forced Zardari to transfer authority over Pakistan’s nuclear weapons to the prime minister. The move was symbolic because Pakistan’s military remains in control of the arsenal. The opposition wants Zardari to give up sweeping powers inherited from his predecessor Gen. Pervez Musharraf, whose cooperation with the United States in the fight against terrorism and tussle with the judiciary ultimately led to his demise. Public anger is growing over rising food prices; some blame on influential businessmen and politicians. The economy is in virtual recession. Security concerns have put off investors.
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