The verdict pointed out that Pakistan is also signatory to the United Nation's Convention Against Corruption, 2005 and had ratified it on 31st August, 2007, regarding international cooperation in criminal matters. Under Articles 44 to 50 the State Parties shall consider assisting each other in investigation or proceedings in civil and administrative matters, relating to corruption.
The Supreme Court verdict stated the NRO is against the interests of the country and withdrawing cases from Swiss courts was unconstitutional. "The object of this law for all intents and purposes does not seem to be 'reconciliation' but to pave way and facilitate to those persons charged with corruption, plunders of national wealth and fraud, to come back, seize and occupy the echelons of power again. Its aim seems to legalize corruption and the crimes committed by those in power in the past."
Not surprisingly, cases against 8,041 people, including 32 prominent politicians were dropped under the controversial NRO introduced by ex-President Pervez Musharraf to allow Mr Zardari's late wife, Benazir Bhutto, to return to the country and stand for office. Under US-brokered deal, she returned to Pakistan from abroad after the NRO was signed into law, but was assassinated soon after. Mr. Zardari became president in 2008, thanks to strong US political and financial support.
Zardari repaid this support by facilitating the US war in Afghanistan, and allowed the Pentagon to keep using Pakistan's bases and military personnel, without which the war in Afghanistan could not be prosecuted. Washington promised Pakistan's corrupt ruling elite at least $7.5 billion over the next five years.
Pakistan Supreme Court's verdict against the controversial NRO is virtually a judgment against the rampant corruption in the country which has been ranked as 42nd most corrupt country by the Transparency International. The Court had directed the concerned courts to summon the persons and resume cases against those who benefitted from the NRO.
Tellingly, prominent politicians, besides President Zardari, who benefitted from the NRO include at least two incumbent federal ministers, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar. The NRO beneficiaries include two Pakistan's Ambassador to United States Hussain Haqqani and Pakistan's High Commissioner, Wajid Shamsul Hasan. Another prominent beneficiary is Altaf Hussain, leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) an important component of the ruling coalition in Pakistan.
The detailed Supreme Court judgment has further destabilized the government of President Zardari.
What is the implication of this development for Washington? To borrow Eric Margolis, "it appears that Zardari's days as Washington's man in Islamabad are numbered. Anti-American fury is surging, with popular claims that Pakistan has been "occupied" by the US, treated like a third-rate banana republic, and is run by corrupt, US-installed stooges and crooks. Shades of Iran under the Shah, and Egypt under Sadat."
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