Responding to written queries by The Express Tribune, the Swiss Embassy in Islamabad stated that: “Contrary to misperceptions, Swiss banking regulation is no obstacle for authorities to prosecute. It was regularly lifted in all kinds of investigations including tax offences and money laundering cases.”
However, one thing is clear: There are no criminal proceedings pending against President Zardari or former prime minister Benazir Bhutto after a Swiss investigating magistrate handed down a six-month suspended sentence against the couple.
“One thing must be clearly understood. Contrary to common perception, the Supreme Court is not asking the government to write a letter to re-open criminal proceedings against anyone,” clarified prominent lawyer Abid Hasan Minto.
“Pakistan’s government was never party to criminal proceedings against the Swiss companies SGS and Cotecna. Those proceedings were started by the Swiss government on their own initiative since both the companies are Swiss. Once the charges of money-laundering were proven, then the Pakistani government asked the Swiss government to return the $60 million frozen in the name of those Swiss companies,” added Minto.
“When the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) was signed by former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan’s government filed a petition asking to withdraw the application regarding the frozen money. And now the court
is asking to revive that application if possible,” said Minto.
“However, there is a time-barring factor here. It is believed that if the Swiss cases are not revived by April, they would be rendered dead and then they cannot be revived. That is why the court is pressing the government to write the application now.”
Both the SGS and Cotecna are shipment inspection firms who were hired by late Bhutto’s government in 1995 to check imports for quality. Money-laundering speculations surfaced when it was reported in the media that the couple had deposited kickbacks worth millions in two alleged front off-shore companies. The party, President Zardari and Bhutto, during her lifetime, vehemently denied the charges.
The Pakistan Peoples Party termed the whole saga a ‘political witch-hunt’. In a recent interview, President Zardari categorically stated that his government would never ask the Swiss government to re-open the matter.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2012.
COMMENTS (24)
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Now Army & Nawaz are showing their power through much inclined Supreme Court.
No one should be above the law. Period.
We can promisie to ourself today to live a truthful living and take home what we earned by our mental or physical labor or a legally fine inheritance etc. If we have "Fixed" telephone, electric line to avoid the meter. If we have unpaid water, income or sale taxes, duties etc or paid a bribe to avoid a legal hurdle or used & acquired an item of controversial rights...... We are as Guilty as any one who's secret deal is Out in the News Media. Start an honest life today!
The day corruption of all sorts is first brought down to manageable level and then eradicated as far as practically possible, this Nation will rise in the comity of nations as the run rises in the east-pure, heralding prosperity for the life on our planet.
Mr Rafiq.....ha...ha..ha..lol.....some may be but majority are not & most of them are fake degree holders.....
Mr Minto has very rightly pointed out but the issue is being presented by even Mr Aitazaz by twisting the facts for public consumption....PPP led govt knows this too well & therefore, wants to drag this case beyond April 2012, after which it will be time-barred......
Mr. Iffi well educated sane and clear headed persons r with ppp.
@bholu you miss the point.
There was some chicanery afoot otherwise why the need to get Swiss government or prosecutor to withdraw/close the case in first place ?
If Mr. Zardari is clean as you imply, Swiss would have found him innocent and this whole issue would have been put to bed, once and for all.
And why is the government dithering on this, if they are so confident of Zardari's innocence ? Right now, its to delay re-opening the cases as the statute of limitations will preclude re-opening after April.
He should clear his name thru Swiss Courts since there is 'selective' justice here.
If this country could learn to saprate crime from politics then matter could be understood and resolve. It is very simple if spreme court wants to get its order implimented; and rightly too. then gov't should come up with its version by saying that since main accused in the case : that is Benazeer has died another co-accused Nusrat Bhutto has also expired.their names should be droped from the case. other coaccused is president of Pakistan has imminuty in all proceedings; whic has already been accepted by different courts.beside he has sovereign immunity as heead of state. Nab may send the letter to swiss authorities stating these facts and request them to keep it pending till the expiry of his term...Period... no one is hurt Mr Zardari should face and defend himself after fifteen months
why iss the JUSTICE FOR ALL NOT APPLICABLE TO EVERY ONE???
MORALITY WHEN SELECTIVELY APPLIED IS IMMORAL ITSLEF
Somebody's $60 million are at stake for which these guys have taken the entire country hostage. This money and similar money will come back one day as it belongs to Pakistan. such money if brought back will be sufficient to pay back our foreign debts.We can not pay back our foreign debts in next 20 years out of our normal earnings. People Party please help this country. Be kind as we have paid you a very price already.
@Colonel: its vienna convention
what about Geneva Convention?
If the President is not guilty he should come forward and clear his name. Justice for All.
Time to Go Zardari
There be should be justice. No body and no institution are above law. But supreme of law of land is constitution. Justice if is selective, it is horrible and ugly face of justice. Kings in the past would also sometimes do justice but they themselves and their coterie were always above law.
So the real issue is about return of frozen $60 million to Pakistan, not about re-opening cases against the president. Interesting.
Faisal Abdi presented proofs of corruption against four sitting judges on national TV yesterday. These references are against judges are pending before Chief Justice and no action! Selective justice is destroying this country! Chief Justice should first clear himself and his fellow judges before playing politics!
Mr Zardari should come clean on the issue why is trying all the tactics to doge the judiciary on the Swiss issue .
Why are we all so scared of Justice... If Mr. President is innocent he should infact try and clear his name once and for all. Let there be Justice.. One of the differences between the Animal world and Human civilization is infact Justice.. be it a King or a Beggar.