Geneva: A senior Pakistani diplomat in Switzerland has confirmed that letter written to Swiss authorities for reopening the cases of President Asif Ali Zardari has been conveyed to the officials in Switzerland.
Talking to media, the official said that Pakistan’s Foreign Office had directed embassy officials to convey the letter to the Swiss authorities and the letter had been conveyed to Federal office of Justice in Switzerland.
“We have informed Foreign Office that the letter has been forwarded to the Swiss officials,” he added.
Earlier on Friday, the government finally sent the letter to Swiss authorities for reopening of corruption cases against the beneficiaries of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), including President Asif Ali Zardari, by withdrawing one written by the Musharraf government under the NRO.
“Yes the letter has been sent to Swiss authorities,” Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said.
The draft letter, addressed to attorney general of Geneva, Switzerland, stated, “This is with reference to the letter dated 22nd May 2008 addressed by Malik Mohammad Qayyum to Mr Daniel Zappelli, Attorney General, Geneva, Switzerland. In view of the directions given by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in Paragraph 178 of its judgement dated 16th December 2009 the aforesaid letter is hereby withdrawn and may be treated as never written and therefore revival of requests, status and claims, is sought.”
However, it concludes on the note, “This is without prejudice to the legal rights and defences of the presidents/heads of state which may be available under the law, constitution and international law.”
The fresh letter would withdraw the one sent by former attorney general Malik Abdul Qayyum and would reopen the corruption cases against beneficiaries of NRO, including President Zardari who, the government insists, enjoys presidential immunity.
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