This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8417561.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Zardari faces resignation demands | Zardari faces resignation demands |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Pakistan's main opposition has urged President Asif Zardari to resign after the Supreme Court declared an amnesty against corruption charges illegal. | Pakistan's main opposition has urged President Asif Zardari to resign after the Supreme Court declared an amnesty against corruption charges illegal. |
The controversial law granting senior politicians amnesty was brought in by ex-President Pervez Musharraf. | The controversial law granting senior politicians amnesty was brought in by ex-President Pervez Musharraf. |
The court's move opens the way to possible prosecution for Mr Zardari's political allies, although he is still protected by presidential immunity. | The court's move opens the way to possible prosecution for Mr Zardari's political allies, although he is still protected by presidential immunity. |
Mr Zardari faces several pending court cases against him in Pakistan. | Mr Zardari faces several pending court cases against him in Pakistan. |
Before taking office, he spent years in jail after being convicted on corruption charges he says were politically motivated. | Before taking office, he spent years in jail after being convicted on corruption charges he says were politically motivated. |
BBC correspondents say that, despite the pressure on government figures to quit, there are no signs that this is likely to happen. | BBC correspondents say that, despite the pressure on government figures to quit, there are no signs that this is likely to happen. |
'Playing tricks' | 'Playing tricks' |
Siddiqul Farooq, spokesman for the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) of former PM Nawaz Sharif, told the AFP news agency that Mr Zardari should resign on "moral grounds". | Siddiqul Farooq, spokesman for the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) of former PM Nawaz Sharif, told the AFP news agency that Mr Zardari should resign on "moral grounds". |
President Asif Zardari won elections in 2008 | President Asif Zardari won elections in 2008 |
"All the cabinet members must immediately tender their resignations," he said. | "All the cabinet members must immediately tender their resignations," he said. |
Another senior PML-N leader, Khawaja Asif, said Mr Zardari should resign "in his own interest" and that of his party. | Another senior PML-N leader, Khawaja Asif, said Mr Zardari should resign "in his own interest" and that of his party. |
"It will be good for the system," he told the Associated Press news agency. | "It will be good for the system," he told the Associated Press news agency. |
Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar told reporters outside the court that the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) would respect the judgement. | |
However Mr Babar stressed that the president was protected from prosecution. | |
"No criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be constituted or continued in any court against the president... during the tenure of office," he said. | |
Pakistani newspapers have welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to annul the amnesty. | Pakistani newspapers have welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to annul the amnesty. |
"Zardari: an accused president," a front page headline in The News said. | "Zardari: an accused president," a front page headline in The News said. |
The law was introduced by Mr Musharraf in order to allow Mr Zardari's late wife, Benazir Bhutto, to return to the country and stand for office, with the aim of a possible power-sharing deal with Mr Musharraf. | The law was introduced by Mr Musharraf in order to allow Mr Zardari's late wife, Benazir Bhutto, to return to the country and stand for office, with the aim of a possible power-sharing deal with Mr Musharraf. |
She returned to Pakistan from abroad after the so-called National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) was signed into law, but was assassinated soon after. | She returned to Pakistan from abroad after the so-called National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) was signed into law, but was assassinated soon after. |
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool, in Islamabad, says it has only recently been revealed that more than 8,000 politicians and officials benefited from the legislation. | The BBC's Aleem Maqbool, in Islamabad, says it has only recently been revealed that more than 8,000 politicians and officials benefited from the legislation. |
The Supreme Court has called for all these cases to be re-opened, with hundreds of senior politicians and civilian bureaucrats now facing criminal and corruption charges. | The Supreme Court has called for all these cases to be re-opened, with hundreds of senior politicians and civilian bureaucrats now facing criminal and corruption charges. |
Pakistan is often ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world by anti-graft campaigners. | Pakistan is often ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world by anti-graft campaigners. |
According to a listing produced by global watchdog Transparency International, it came 40th out of 180 countries surveyed. | According to a listing produced by global watchdog Transparency International, it came 40th out of 180 countries surveyed. |