Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Friday directed the country's anti-corruption watchddog to reopen graft cases against Asif Ali Zardari and 8,000 others that were quashed under the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance, a move likely to further weaken his hold on the presidency.
A three-judge bench headed by Justice Javed Iqbal directed the National Accountability of Bureau to implement its verdict to reopen cases that were quashed under the National Reconciliation Ordinance, promulgated by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in 2007.
The bench also directed the bureau to protect all records related to NRO cases.
The bench also expressed its dissatisfaction at a report submitted by NAB on the reopening of cases.
NAB was directed by the judges to submit a report regarding the appointment of prosecutors for these cases.
Justice Iqbal remarked that whatever was decided by the apex court "must be implemented in letter and spirit".
He said all institutions are bound to implement the apex court's orders under constitutional provisions.
Noting that certain media reports had claimed that efforts were being made to tamper with the records of NRO-related cases, damage evidence and replace certain records. He directed authorities to protect these records.
{{/usCountry}}Noting that certain media reports had claimed that efforts were being made to tamper with the records of NRO-related cases, damage evidence and replace certain records. He directed authorities to protect these records.
{{/usCountry}}