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Court drops cases against Zardari Court drops cases against Zardari
(about 2 hours later)
A Pakistani court has dropped five corruption cases against Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of assassinated ex-PM Benazir Bhutto, his lawyer says.A Pakistani court has dropped five corruption cases against Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of assassinated ex-PM Benazir Bhutto, his lawyer says.
The ruling also reportedly unfreezes Mr Zardari's financial assets.The ruling also reportedly unfreezes Mr Zardari's financial assets.
The court move follows a deal agreed with President Pervez Musharraf in October, that gave the Bhuttos immunity from prosecution in the cases.The court move follows a deal agreed with President Pervez Musharraf in October, that gave the Bhuttos immunity from prosecution in the cases.
Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) won the most votes in recent polls and is set to form a government.Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) won the most votes in recent polls and is set to form a government.
Although he is an influential figure in the PPP, Mr Zardari has ruled himself out as a candidate for prime minister in the new coalition administration.Although he is an influential figure in the PPP, Mr Zardari has ruled himself out as a candidate for prime minister in the new coalition administration.
Allah has differentiated truth from lies and justice has been done Farooq NaikAsif Ali Zardari's lawyer Cases against the BhuttosAllah has differentiated truth from lies and justice has been done Farooq NaikAsif Ali Zardari's lawyer Cases against the Bhuttos
The election delivered a huge blow to the President Musharraf's main allies in parliament, who are now expected to form the opposition.The election delivered a huge blow to the President Musharraf's main allies in parliament, who are now expected to form the opposition.
Ms Bhutto ended several years of voluntary exile and returned to Pakistan late last year, after the agreement to exempt her and her husband from further prosecution in the corruption cases.Ms Bhutto ended several years of voluntary exile and returned to Pakistan late last year, after the agreement to exempt her and her husband from further prosecution in the corruption cases.
She was killed in a gun and bomb attack in late December, after addressing a rally in the city of Rawalpindi.She was killed in a gun and bomb attack in late December, after addressing a rally in the city of Rawalpindi.
'Draconian laws''Draconian laws'
The corruption cases against Mr Zardari stem from Ms Bhutto's two terms as prime minister.The corruption cases against Mr Zardari stem from Ms Bhutto's two terms as prime minister.
He spent eight years in prison over the charges and was freed on bail in late 2004.He spent eight years in prison over the charges and was freed on bail in late 2004.
"Allah has differentiated truth from lies and justice has been done," Mr Zardari's lawyer, Farooq Naik, said after Wednesday's court ruling in the city of Rawalpindi."Allah has differentiated truth from lies and justice has been done," Mr Zardari's lawyer, Farooq Naik, said after Wednesday's court ruling in the city of Rawalpindi.
"Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari were the victims of Draconian laws, but today all cases have finished like the dark, old night," he said."Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari were the victims of Draconian laws, but today all cases have finished like the dark, old night," he said.
Two cases against Mr Zardari remain outstanding in another court and are expected to be heard on 12 March. In Pakistan, another two cases against Mr Zardari remain outstanding. They will be heard in another court on 12 March.
Mr Naik told the BBC he expected those cases to be dismissed as well.Mr Naik told the BBC he expected those cases to be dismissed as well.
He said a high court in the southern province of Sindh had asked the government to dismiss all cases against his client, in Pakistan and abroad, by 21 March. He also said the amnesty deal agreed with the government last year requires it to abandon by 21 March two further cases filed against Mr Zardari in the UK and Switzerland.
Acting upon this, government lawyers last week withdrew a case filed against Mr Zardari in Switzerland.