Dormant graft case: Swiss case spectre likely to return again

 

ISLAMABAD: A graft case that cost the PPP a prime minister is likely to haunt President Asif Ali Zardari again.

While hearing a case of the illegal appointment of two NRO beneficiaries, the Supreme Court on Tuesday hinted at taking up the Swiss case matter very soon.

A three-judge bench — headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry — told the NAB prosecutor general that after adjudicating the illegal appointments case, the court would examine the Swiss case matter, which involves bringing back the money lying in Swiss banks.

Justice Chaudhry said that although the government has written a letter to Swiss authorities, seeking reopening of a dormant graft case against Zardari, it was necessary to know about the money lying in Swiss banks.

On July 19, 2012, the Supreme Court had disqualified the then prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, from holding a seat in Parliament from the date of his conviction on April 26 by a seven-member bench for contempt of court.