Pak gov't facing political crises
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Dec 22, IRNA -- Supreme Court verdict quashing a controversial amnesty law known as National Reconciliation Ordinance has put Pak government in political crises.
Pressure is mounting on the government after the court revived corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari and at least four sitting ministers.
A seventeen-member group of the Supreme Court in its judgment, apart from declaring the National Reconciliation Ordinance void ab initio, ultra vires and in violation of various constitutional provisions, held null under the law all steps taken and orders passed by whatever authority and courts of law, including acquittals.
Under the amnesty law top political leaders including President Asif Ali Zardari were given amnesty.
In reaction to the Supreme Court decision, President Zardari claimed that he is ready to face all kinds of challenges as he wants to save Pakistan from turning into another Afghanistan.
The president and other ministers have ruled out resignations after the apex court verdict and say that they would defend themselves in the courts.
Opposition parties say that the government is heading towards a clash with the judiciary.
The National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) promulgated in October 2007 by former President Pervez Musharraf, was termed as most notorious act of Constitution, as it had granted amnesty to politicians, political workers and bureaucrats who were accused of corruption, embezzlement, money-laundering, murder and terrorism between 1st January 1986 and October 12th 1999, the time between two Martial Laws.
Some commentators believe that the Supreme Court verdict is a warning for presumptuous, overly ambitious and corrupt politicians.
Although the NRO was always controversial but it could have been sidelined due to workable political arrangements.
PPP Central Executive Council (CEC) had adopted a unanimous resolution showing full confidence in President Zardari. The CEC decided to defend NRO cases which were re-opened against party leaders in courts.
While it is generally agreed that President Zardari has immunity from prosecution as president, his opponents now plan to challenge his eligibility to hold the post. Zardari and his aides say any corruption charges against him are politically motivated and that he will not step down.
Some analysts say Zardari may be able to take some of the sting out of his opponents’ attacks — and ultimately survive in office — if he gives up many of the powers he inherited from Musharraf.
A few weeks ago, amid mounting pressure, Zardari relinquished command of the country's nuclear arsenal and said he would give up more powers soon.
It cannot be ruled out that if relations between Asif Zardari and the PML-N — more precisely, the Sharif brothers — had been better there might have been a possibility of an agreement being reached.
It will now be interesting to see if the Supreme Court actually takes the matter to its ultimate conclusion by also questioning those who pushed forward the NRO.
‘It will be in his (Zardari) own interest, it will be in the interest of his party and it will be good for the system,’ said Khawaja Asif, a senior leader from the opposition Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz party.
Former prime minister and head of the PML-N Mian Nawaz Sharif had termed the NRO as a ‘Black Law’.
The coming days are very crucial for the political scenario in Pakistan as the tension between the ruling Peoples Party and judiciary could rise.
The past record of the democratic forces in the country’s history is also quite poor and there is widespread expectation that renewed political turmoil could set the stage for yet another military intervention.
Pakistan 's political history is littered with incidents of alliances falling apart and political friends turning into foes.
The people of Pakistan were hopeful when PML-N and PPP announced to unanimously resolve their problems including restoration of judiciary, however, collapse of ruling coalition had revived traditional political bitterness.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 856044
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