Zardari orders reopening of cases against him in Switzerland

[pkd]

Zardari orders reopening of cases against him in Switzerland

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari today directed Pakistani authorities to take steps to reopen graft cases against him in Switzerland in line with an order of the Supreme Court, according to media reports.

Zardari directed the attorney general and the federal law ministry to initiate the process for reopening the cases in Switzerland, sources close to the presidency and the ruling Pakistan People's Party were quoted as saying by TV news channels. There was no official word on the development from the presidency or the PPP.

The cases in Switzerland were closed under the National Reconciliation Ordinance, a graft amnesty issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf that was struck down by the apex court last year.

The sources were quoted as saying that a formal request for reopening the cases will be filed with the Swiss government by Monday.

They were also quoted as saying that Zardari had decided to face the cases in Switzerland "head on" after realising that "landing on the wrong side of the judiciary would make matters worse and not go down well with the public".

Zardari reportedly directed authorities not to create any hurdles in the implementation of the Supreme Court's verdict that called for the reopening of these cases.

The decision to go ahead with the reopening of the cases was reportedly made during a meeting of a "core group" of PPP leaders that was chaired last night by Zardari and prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Zardari told the meeting that, if necessary, the Supreme Court would be informed "at the right time" that the president enjoys immunity from prosecution under Article 248 of the constitution.

Sources also said Zardari had made it clear that he did not want any confrontation with the judiciary and would respect the Supreme Court's orders.

The president's move came after he was forced to back down from a showdown with the Supreme Court over two judicial appointments he made against the recommendations of chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.

After a bench of the apex court suspended the appointments, Gilani met the chief justice and agreed to withdraw the appointments.

Meanwhile, in a related development, Navid Ahsan, chairman of the National Accountability Bureau issued orders today for immediately terminating the services of additional prosecutor general Abdul Baseer Qureshi and recommended the sacking of prosecutor general Danishwar Malik.

Ahsan took the step a day after the chief justice Chaudhry pulled him up for not complying with Supreme Court’s orders for reopening graft cases that were withdrawn under the NRO.

The chief justice asked Ahsan why a letter for reopening the cases against Zardari in Switzerland had not yet been sent to authorities in Geneva. He directed Ahsan to submit a reply, failing which the court would stop his salary.

Zardari orders reopening of cases against him in Switzerland: Reports

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Bold move I hope he comes out as a innocent man , as he is after all our leader , but lets see what happens, any man who wins democratically MUST complete his term at all cost

These drama in middle of term do not allow for people to focus on nation building / fighting terrorism

 

[Spring Onion]

No Bold move, rather Supreme Court had asked for reopening the cases and even NAB Additional Prosecutor General was sacked for not obeying orders.

 

[Zovc]

No Bold move, rather Supreme Court had asked for reopening the cases and even NAB Additional Prosecutor General was sacked for not obeying orders.

Typical Pakistani mentality.

Khair, it's been opened on the President's order. I hope it turns out he was innocent. Let's wait for it.

 

[Rank]

hahaha i am pretty sure about Zardari discussed this matter with Aitizaz Ahsan. Might be possible A.Ahsan said go for it because it will take 2 - 3 years lol. So Zardari agreed and passed order about to reopen. LOL @ people of Pakistan including me "ZARDARI GAME IS STILL ON AND GO ON".

 

[fatman17]

after he removes all the evidence against him !!!genius

 

[PAFAce]

Typical Pakistani mentality.

Khair, it's been opened on the President's order. I hope it turns out he was innocent. Let's wait for it.

Firstly, keep the "Typical Pakistani" BS out. All of us here are Pakistanis, and we don't care what you think about our "mentality".

Secondly, Zardari innocent of corruption?! Are you kidding me? Was Hitler a humanitarian on your planet?

after he removes all the evidence against him !!!

I know. Wipe the evidence and then say "go ahead, try me". But, at least, the CJP and his supporters forced him to take this action. This is unprecedented that a corrupt "President" is being forced to face his demons.

I hope the truth comes out ASAP, and Mr. 90% is sent packing in humiliation. Maybe, after seeing that Zardari is really isolating the government from the populace, Mr. Gillani will decide it's time to distance his government from Zardari. If that happens, then this government might just get a new lease on life.

 

[kidwaibhai]

I think this is a good step. i think we should appreciate this. i know that there wont be any prosecution because he has already removed all the evidence during the time period that the NRO was in effect.
We should not only go after Zardari but also other people that played a hand in this. when those people get caught which include some generals then i will be really happy. i hope the CJ pays attention to all those people too

 

[ajpirzada]

‘Zardari has not ordered reopening of Swiss cases’

LAHORE: The president’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar and the attorney general (AG) have rejected reports that President Asif Ali Zardari has ordered the Law Ministry to initiate the process for reopening his cases in the Swiss courts. The two leaders said legal issues, including the Swiss cases, were not discussed at the Pakistan People’s Party core committee meeting on Saturday. Earlier, a private TV channel had reported that President Zardari had given a green signal to the Law Ministry and the AG to get the process started for reopening his Swiss cases. It said a formal request for reopening of the cases would be filed with the Swiss government by Monday (tomorrow). The channel reported that President Zardari had decided to face the Swiss courts head on and given directions that no hurdles should be created in the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict. daily times monitor/aaj kal report

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

which paradise have you guys just visited???

 

[PAFAce]

which paradise have you guys just visited???

The Geo TV paradise, and I want to stay there.

At the very least, this should re-focus our Judiciary and our populace onto the cases against the Pres. It seemed that the whole "judge-swap" game had, unintentionally, helped the governing party by diverting attention away from the cases against Zardari and towards the interpretation of the Constitution. This should bring back the main point, that the most powerful man in the country is not above the law.

I was watched the movie Frost/Nixon today for the second time, and the following exchange between David Frost and Richard Nixon seemed to describe the mindset of our very own President as well:

Frost: So what in a sense, you're saying is that there are certain situations where the president can do something illegal.
Nixon: Well, when the president does it that means that it is not illegal.

In our case, the President is above reproach even if he committed crimes before he became President. Public office equals non-accountability of any sort whatsoever.

 

[ameer219]

I have to agree with Gabbar Singh,I believe we should concentrate more on Nation building and fighting terrorism, dramas like this are going to slow us down.

 

[PAFAce]

I have to agree with Gabbar Singh,I believe we should concentrate more on Nation building and fighting terrorism, dramas like this are going to slow us down.

How the heck can we "build" a "nation" with these types of leaders in power? Until when are we going to ignore the disease and focus on the symptoms? It is time for Pakistan to wake up and realize the need for change (and most of us awoke a long time ago, some people are still lagging behind). Understand this; without justice, without accountability, without honest leadership and without equal opportunity for all (not just the feudal lords) there can be no nation building. We will keep going round-and-round in cycles until we break into a million pieces.

 

[ameer219]

It is time for Pakistan to wake up and realize the need for change (and most of us awoke a long time ago, some people are still lagging behind). Understand this; without justice, without accountability, without honest leadership and without equal opportunity for all (not just the feudal lords) there can be no nation building. We will keep going round-and-round in cycles until we break into a million pieces.

I understand how you totally feel about himm Sir,and I am not in favour of him either. But since we are under a democratic system,there is nothing much we can do unless a military coup occurs again(let's hope it wont happen), let him complete his full term,then we will elect another much better leader to lead us all.For the time being, we focus on eliminating terrorism, and build our nation. We have to be united in time like this

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

If BUSH the worse leader in man kind can complete 8 years , why can't we let zardari complete his term

Sure you don't like him , get a ticket to be in Pakistan next election and caste you vote and kick him out -

Untill our nation understand this basic principle that we oursleves put these leaders onto the chair we will always keep hiting our head on walls -

We have the vote USE it wisely -

Reality is when election time comes every one puts a blanket on their heads and we all go to sleep and say oh , what ever - we can't change anything

After the elections are over we go ... wow how did we we put him in charge ???

The answer is simple - if ppl don't like Zardari , just vote for leader who is opposing his policies

Every two year these , courts issues and drama is just negative - how can a person in office approve , nation building deals projects when he is constantly being harassed by courts and people...

Even with Musharif Shiab , same issue in his end of term , but he made a mistake but still so the idea was new gov would run freely but what happens same thing again.....

Let the political leaders, and parliment complete 4 years, and then judge them in elections - not thru newspapers, not thru personal attacks -

Untill our political system cannot have the gentlemanly behavour seen in US elections where losing candidate congradualtes the winner , and promises to help him do what every possible we will always be stuck in fish market politics

Every time a person loses, in our nation they make it a personal sentimental issue , Kerry lost to Bush but he went away quitely ... and every one supported bush sure they politically debated on issues but so what ...

 

[Zovc]

If BUSH the worse leader in man kind can complete 8 years , why can't we let zardari complete his term

That's a very bad example . Khair, I agree, Zardari has come here with the people's mandate, let him complete his term. May he never be elected again.

Screw GEO.