Pakistani High Court Orders Zardari Cases Reopened

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari on a recent visit to India

Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf to reopen a corruption probe of President Asif Ali Zardari.

The court also obliquely threatened Ashraf, saying that he "is bound to implement the relevant directions of this court" just like his predecessor, former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, whom the court disqualified from office last month.

The court ordered Ashraf report on his compliance with the order by July 25.

The cases against Zardari were dismissed in 2007 under an amnesty passed by then-President Pervez Musharraf.

The court later ruled that amnesty illegal.

The government has refused, saying the head of state enjoys immunity from prosecution.

Zardari says the charges are politically motivated.

Also on July 12, Zardari signed into law a measure exempting senior ministers from contempt-of-court proceedings.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP