Former chief minister of Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has vowed to reopen corruption cases against Asif Zardari which were dropped under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) after elections.
“The NRO has lapsed and the cases against looters and plunderers of national wealth would be reopened to make them return it, “ Elahi said, while talking to reporters here after a meeting with several foreign diplomats.
Envoys of Cuba, Brazil, Mexico and others called on Elahi to discuss the political
situation. Elahi is presenting himself as a candidate for the office of prime minister if the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) wins the elections.
Musharraf promulgated the ordinance on October 5, a day ahead of his election, following a deal with slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto under which she facilitated his election in return for a blanket withdrawal of cases against her, Asif Zardari and others.
Criminal cases against thousands of MQM activists were also withdrawn under the NRO.
Though a presidential ordinance lapses after the expiry of three months if Parliament does not endorse it, there is ambivalence whether the NRO enjoys cover under Musharraf's emergency ordinance or not.
He said he was convinced that the PML-Q would sweep the upcoming poll and win at least 110 seats of the National Assembly from Punjab out of a total of 148. Its position was quite strong and stable in other provinces, including NWFP, Balochistan and Sindh, he added.
