Thaindian News

Islamabad, Apr.28 (ANI): Pakistan’s newly appointed Attorney General Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq has said that he is ready to write a letter to the Swiss government for reopening the money laundering cases against President Asif Ali Zardari if the apex court directs him to do so.

“I have gone through the judgment and the court has ordered the same that this should be a formal letter written in accordance with the rules of business and you better know what it means,” The News quoted Haq, as saying.

It may noted that Switzerland’s Attorney General (AG) Daniel Zappelli had already clarified that corruption cases against Zardari cannot be reopened, as he enjoys constitutional immunity.

Zappelli said Geneva could not open the money-laundering cases against Zardari even if it receives an official request from Islamabad.

“According to international rules, which Switzerland also applies, any chief of a state, prime minister or foreign affairs minister of any country enjoys absolute immunity,” Zappelli had said.

He, however, said that Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had requested the Swiss government to reopen the cases, but the documents were not complete according to official requirements.

Zardari and his assassinated wife Benazir Bhutto , were convicted by a Geneva court in 2003 of laundering 13 million dollars linked to kickbacks, but that verdict was overturned on appeal. In 2008, Swiss judicial authorities said they had closed the file related to the case.

Zappelli had earlier said that Pakistan’s embassy in Switzerland had officially notified him in June 2008 of a decision by Pakistan’s prosecutor-general in April to withdraw proceedings against Zardari.

A trial for money laundering in Switzerland would have to be based on the proceedings of the criminal activity, but that would require proof that a crime had been committed, he had said. (ANI)