Pak Govt Decides Not to Denfend Zardari in Corruption Case

With the hearing of a case against grant of amnesty to President Asif Ali Zardari and 8,000 others in corruption cases starting today, the Pakistan government has decided not to defend the immunity, a step that’s a clear jolt to the President.

Acting Attorney General Shah Khawar conveyed the government’s stand to the Supreme Court, in which hearing of petitions challenging the contentious National Reconcilation Ordinance (NRO) begins.

In the hearing, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry is heading the 17-judge bench.

The NRO, which was issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf two years ago, expired on November 28 after the government failed to get it endorsed by parliament within a deadline set by the apex court.