ISLAMABAD, 13 March 2008 — A Pakistani court yesterday quashed another corruption case against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, after clearing him of five others last week, lawyers said, on a day when party leaders floated the possibility of naming Zardari as the nation’s prime minister.
The party’s move to nominate Zardari as their choice for the top post gained momentum with PPP’s Vice Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim, till now tipped to be the next elected premier, telling Arab News on Tuesday that he had withdrawn from the race.
“I am no more a candidate for prime ministership. I have withdrawn my name,” Fahim said.
Only one case now remains against the husband of the late Premier Benazir Bhutto, which the anti-graft court in Rawalpindi said it would rule on later this week, Zardari’s lawyer Farooq Naik said.
The cases have been withdrawn as part of an amnesty given by President Pervez Musharraf last October, which allowed Benazir to return from exile in an apparent prelude to a power-sharing deal between the two. She was assassinated at an election rally in Rawalpindi on Dec. 27 and Zardari took over PPP, leading it to victory in elections on Feb. 18.
“The court terminated another corruption reference against Zardari while the decision on the last corruption reference against him has been reserved for March 14,” Naik said.
“This is the triumph of justice over lies and the victimization of Zardari for the political gain of his enemies.”
Naik said there were still three murder cases pending against Zardari in courts in Karachi and another criminal case related to drug trafficking.
The PPP is now making a coalition government with former Premier Nawaz Sharif. PPP insiders say Zardari, who did not contest the parliamentary polls, is now eyeing the prime minister’s slot after the party failed to develop consensus on a candidate.
He will have to contest a seat for the National Assembly and win a by-election in three month’s time to be eligible for the top slot.
PPP leader Chaudhary Ahmed Mukhtar said that the majority of PPP leaders have agreed to name Zardari as the new prime minister.
Talking to Geo News, Mukhtar said the majority considered Zardari as the most suitable person to lead the country. “Leaders have agreed to name him as PM, however, only Zardari can make a final decision in this regard,” he added.
Responding to a question about exclusion of Fahim, Mukhtar said the party has not yet made any decision and the party was united.
Meanwhile a group of party workers have threatened to immolate themselves if Fahim is not nominated as the premier.
Staging a demonstration outside the Hyderabad Press Club on Tuesday, PPP workers Salahuddin, Naghma Chandio and others said Fahim has shown an unflinching commitment to the party and he is also the party’s senior leader.
In a related development, President Pervez Musharraf is set to go on a six-day official visit to China next month. He is likely to tour China from April 10-15.
— With input from agencies
