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PML-N calls on Zardari to step down
[Iran Press TV Latest] Pakistan's opposition parties have called on President Asif Ali Zardari to step down after the Supreme Court declared void an amnesty protecting him from prosecution. "In the light of historical court verdict, we demand the resignation of the president, ministers and government functionaries who were benefited by NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance)," Sadiq-ul-Farooq, a spokesman for the Pakistani Muslim League-N (PML-N) told Press TV on Wednesday. On Wednesday, Pakistan's Supreme Court revoked the controversial order issued by former president Pervez Musharraf which had granted amnesty to the president, several sitting ministers and thousands of politicians and bureaucrats who are accused of corruption. Farooq also asked the government to defend itself in the media and before the nation on the basis of its 18 month long performance. He said President Zardari can retain his party's position, but should step down as president of Pakistan. Meanwhile, former chief of Jamat-e-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmed said that the Supreme Court's decision would have positive implications in the country. He demanded that President Zardari should tender his resignation after the courts' ruling. A spokeswoman for the president, however, said Zardari will not step down. Musharraf granted amnesty to the politicians as part of a political deal to allow Zardari's wife, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, to return from years of exile to Pakistan. The order provided immunity to leaders and officials from cases registered during 1985-1999. The Pakistani government released the list of the beneficiaries of the ordinance on November 21. A total of 8,041 people benefited from the ordinance including many bureaucrats, diplomats and government officials, who were accused of corruption, embezzlement, money-laundering, murder and terrorism. Zardari, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Defense Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, were also on the list of beneficiaries. Posted by: Fred 2009-12-17 |
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