17 Dec 2009, Pakistan

The main opposition in Pakistan has urged the resignation of President Asif Zardari after the Supreme Court declared the amnesty against the corruption charges illegal. The law granting some senior politicians amnesty was brought in by the ex-President Pervez Musharraf. The court opens the way to the possible prosecution for Mr. Zardari’s political allies, although he is till now protected by the presidential immunity.

Mr. Zardari also has several pending court cases against him in Pakistan. Before taking up the office, he spent many years in jail accused of corruption charges that he says were politically charged.

Siddiqul Farooq, spokesman for opposition Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) of former PM Nawaz Sharif said that Mr. Zardari should politely resign on the moral grounds. Whereas another senior PML-N leader, Khawaja Asif said that he should resign in his own interest and his party’s interest. The Presidential spokesman, Farhatullah Babar said that the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will respect this judgment. However he stressed that the president was protected from the prosecution.

The law was introduced by Mr. Musharraf so as to allow Mr. Zardari’s late wife, Benazir Bhutto, to return to country and stand for the office, with the aim of possible power-sharing deal with Mr. Musharraf.