[Iran Press TV Latest] Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has handed control of command of the country's nuclear arsenal to the prime minister as he faces growing pressure to resign. The National Command Authority, which is responsible for nuclear weapons, is now under the authority of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
"The president has handed over his power regarding the national command and control authority to me and has issued an ordinance," AFP quoted Gilani as saying.
The handover comes as a new political crisis looms in Pakistan since the immunity against corruption charges President Asif Ali Zardari and his key allies enjoyed expired on Saturday.
The amnesty, known as the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), was issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in October 2007.
In late July, the Pakistani Supreme Court set a November 28 deadline for the NRO to be approved by the parliament.
Although Zardari cannot be prosecuted because of presidential immunity, pundits say the reopening of corruption cases involving people close to him could further weaken his presidency.