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Q+A - Does Pakistan amnesty lapse pose a threat to Zardari?
Sat Nov 28, 2009 3:41pm IST
REUTERS - An amnesty that covered about 8,000 Pakistanis facing various charges, including President Asif Ali Zardari and four cabinet ministers, lapsed on Saturday.
Embattled Zardari cannot be prosecuted because of presidential immunity, although the re-opening of politically charged corruption cases involving people close to him could further weaken him.
Here are a few questions and answers on the amnesty controversy and the implications for Zardari.
WHY WAS THE AMNESTY ORDER ISSUED?
It was introduced through a decree by former President Pervez Musharraf in 2007 under a plan to share power with Zardari's wife
Nicknamed "Mr Ten Percent", Zardari was accused of receiving kickbacks while awarding lucrative contracts during Bhutto's two stints in office in the 1990s.
He spent years in jail on various charges, which he says were politically motivated. Zardari was never convicted.
The amnesty paved the way for Bhutto to return from self-imposed exile in October 2007. She was assassinated just over two months later, leaving Zardari to lead her party to victory in general elections in February 2008 and then become president after Musharraf resigned in August.
WHAT IS AT STAKE?
The amnesty issue has dealt another political blow to the unpopular Zardari, although it's not clear if it will end his leadership.
Corruption cases against a few of his close associates, including Interior Minister Rehman Malik, may be revived.
The controversy raises the possibility of a new crisis in nuclear-armed Pakistan, something that would worry the United States, which sees its regional ally as crucial to defeating the Taliban in Afghanistan.
It may also distract the Islamabad government from its own campaign against the Taliban at home, where a stepped-up bombing campaign has deepened security fears.
HOW DID THE LATEST POLITICAL CONTROVERSY ERUPT?
The amnesty law was challenged in the Supreme Court and it directed the government to get parliamentary approval of all decrees issued by Musharraf, including the amnesty, by Nov. 28.
The government tried to place the issue before parliament this month but backtracked after top opposition leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and some of Zardari's allies vowed to block the move, saying it would legitimise corruption.
Despite the government's retreat, the opposition and media insisted on publication of the list of those who benefited from the amnesty.
Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, a Zardari ally, then ordered the list to be published, hoping to calm the opposition.
CAN ZARDARI BE PROSECUTED?
While Zardari's presidential immunity prevents him from being prosecuted, some legal experts contend his eligibility for office could be legally challenged. He can also be prosecuted after leaving office.
Aides of Sharif, Zardari's main rival and Pakistan's most popular politician, are demanding resignations of government officials, including Zardari's associates whose names appeared on the list. Any departures could throw Pakistan into fresh political turmoil.
That, analysts say, is why Sharif may not want to threaten Zardari's civilian government -- formed after nine years of military rule under Musharraf -- at least for now.
Sharif may try to turn Zardari into a figurehead leader by exploiting strains between the president and Pakistan's powerful army over a U.S. aid bill that critics say contained humiliating conditions.
Zardari initially rejected suggestions the bill would undermine Pakistan's sovereignty, but analysts say damage has been done already when anti-American sentiment is running high.
Q+A - Does Pakistan amnesty lapse pose a threat to Zardari? | South Asia | Reuters
Sat Nov 28, 2009 3:41pm IST
REUTERS - An amnesty that covered about 8,000 Pakistanis facing various charges, including President Asif Ali Zardari and four cabinet ministers, lapsed on Saturday.
Embattled Zardari cannot be prosecuted because of presidential immunity, although the re-opening of politically charged corruption cases involving people close to him could further weaken him.
Here are a few questions and answers on the amnesty controversy and the implications for Zardari.
WHY WAS THE AMNESTY ORDER ISSUED?
It was introduced through a decree by former President Pervez Musharraf in 2007 under a plan to share power with Zardari's wife
Nicknamed "Mr Ten Percent", Zardari was accused of receiving kickbacks while awarding lucrative contracts during Bhutto's two stints in office in the 1990s.
He spent years in jail on various charges, which he says were politically motivated. Zardari was never convicted.
The amnesty paved the way for Bhutto to return from self-imposed exile in October 2007. She was assassinated just over two months later, leaving Zardari to lead her party to victory in general elections in February 2008 and then become president after Musharraf resigned in August.
WHAT IS AT STAKE?
The amnesty issue has dealt another political blow to the unpopular Zardari, although it's not clear if it will end his leadership.
Corruption cases against a few of his close associates, including Interior Minister Rehman Malik, may be revived.
The controversy raises the possibility of a new crisis in nuclear-armed Pakistan, something that would worry the United States, which sees its regional ally as crucial to defeating the Taliban in Afghanistan.
It may also distract the Islamabad government from its own campaign against the Taliban at home, where a stepped-up bombing campaign has deepened security fears.
HOW DID THE LATEST POLITICAL CONTROVERSY ERUPT?
The amnesty law was challenged in the Supreme Court and it directed the government to get parliamentary approval of all decrees issued by Musharraf, including the amnesty, by Nov. 28.
The government tried to place the issue before parliament this month but backtracked after top opposition leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and some of Zardari's allies vowed to block the move, saying it would legitimise corruption.
Despite the government's retreat, the opposition and media insisted on publication of the list of those who benefited from the amnesty.
Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, a Zardari ally, then ordered the list to be published, hoping to calm the opposition.
CAN ZARDARI BE PROSECUTED?
While Zardari's presidential immunity prevents him from being prosecuted, some legal experts contend his eligibility for office could be legally challenged. He can also be prosecuted after leaving office.
Aides of Sharif, Zardari's main rival and Pakistan's most popular politician, are demanding resignations of government officials, including Zardari's associates whose names appeared on the list. Any departures could throw Pakistan into fresh political turmoil.
That, analysts say, is why Sharif may not want to threaten Zardari's civilian government -- formed after nine years of military rule under Musharraf -- at least for now.
Sharif may try to turn Zardari into a figurehead leader by exploiting strains between the president and Pakistan's powerful army over a U.S. aid bill that critics say contained humiliating conditions.
Zardari initially rejected suggestions the bill would undermine Pakistan's sovereignty, but analysts say damage has been done already when anti-American sentiment is running high.
Q+A - Does Pakistan amnesty lapse pose a threat to Zardari? | South Asia | Reuters
