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Zardari's graft cases dropped
Fri, Mar 07, 2008 The Straits Times
ISLAMABAD - A COURT dropped graft cases against the husband of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, a move that could improve relations between Pakistan's US-backed president and the party set to lead its new government. Wednesday's ruling in favour of Mr Asif Ali Zardari in an anti-corruption court will anger some ordinary Pakistanis but may smooth the way for a new administration to take office and begin tackling urgent issues including rising Islamic extremism. The anti-corruption court in Rawalpindi ordered prosecutors to terminate five long-standing cases against Mr Zardari under an order given by President Pervez Musharraf last year. Government prosecutor Zulfikar Ahmad Bhutta confirmed that the cases had been dropped. He said property including businesses and a bulletproof limousine would be returned immediately to Mr Zardari.

The ordinance paved the way for Ms Bhutto's return from exile before she was slain in a December suicide attack.

Last week, the Supreme Court lifted a stay order on the ordinance, opening the way for Wednesday's ruling.

The cases dropped include charges of illegal payments relating to the purchase of thousands of Polish tractors and the construction of a polo ground inside the prime minister's residence.

All cases against Mr Zardari in Switzerland and Spain will also be withdrawn within two weeks.

Mr Farooq Naek, Mr Zardari's lawyer, said another judge would terminate the last two outstanding cases against his client at another hearing on March 12.

The former Cabinet minister spent years in jail without being convicted and insists the charges were politically motivated.

ASSOCIATED PRESS