Swiss authorities refuse to reopen graft cases against President Zardari

E-Paper | October 11, 2026

Swiss authorities refuse to reopen graft cases against President Zardari

Dawn.com Published February 9, 2013

President Asif Ali Zardari. —File Photo

ISLAMABAD: In response to the letter sent by the government on the directives of Pakistan’s top court, Swiss authorities on Saturday refused to reopen the graft case against President Asif Ali Zardari, DawnNews reported.

In light of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the NRO implementation case, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) government had sent the letter to the Swiss authorities in Nov last year.

Former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had to face disqualification for committing contempt of court by not writing the letter to Swiss authorities. The two-year standoff between the government and the judiciary was resolved when Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf appeared before the court and informed it that the government was ready to write the letter.

Sources told DawnNews that the government has received a written response from Swiss authorities on Saturday.

Federal Law Minister Farooq H. Naek has confirmed receiving the letter in which the Swiss authorities have said that according to international laws, President Zardari enjoys immunity against all criminal charges. They said that actions can not be taken against him till he holds the post of president.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, by welcoming the decision, has urged the party supporters to not “over-celebrate.”

Shabut

Feb 09, 2013 06:18pm

It does not mean Mr. 10% (now 25%) is not guilty or free of corruption. Swiss authorities have refused to many other Governments in the world to provide any information about the black money Alpine country keeps in their reserves. There is no surprise here.

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NASAH (USA)

Feb 09, 2013 06:19pm

Poor Supreme Court.

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Mohammad Farooq

Feb 09, 2013 06:35pm

Another sad day in the history of Pakistan where powerful could do anything unlawful with impunity. What a shame that the punishment is only meant for poor and oppressed people in this land of pure.

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Mohammad Farooq

Feb 09, 2013 06:36pm

No its poor Pakistan.

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Jalaluddin S. Hussain

Feb 09, 2013 06:41pm

If the Swiss Authorities stand to profit from the black and laundered money why should they open the case of Mr. 10 percent?

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saj

Feb 09, 2013 06:54pm

has urged the party supporters to not

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pashtunyar

Feb 09, 2013 06:54pm

Anti climax of the year!

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Ali Shallwani

Feb 09, 2013 07:01pm

why doesn't the supreme court remove Zardari from the "President" post, investigate his criminal activities and if he is found not-guilty - (which is very unlikely) reinstate him. At least, this matter can be put to rest, once and for all and justice can be served. The people of Pakistan, at least, deserve this much!

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haroon

Feb 09, 2013 07:13pm

"as long as he is president" So this means that he will do everything in his power to REMAIN in such a position to enjoy this "immunity" Good luck for another 5 years with Zardari. Pakistan Zindabaad

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Abdullah Hussain

Feb 09, 2013 07:14pm

Why the Swiss bank has refused to re open the case of ill gotten money. The SC should ask the swiss authority to explain the reason for their refusal.

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malik

Feb 09, 2013 07:19pm

Did they translate it right?

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muzammil ullah khan

Feb 09, 2013 07:41pm

let's hope he is evicted from the office in a democratic manner and the next govt takes up the case with the swiss authorities . the guy has to be convicted .

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Riaz

Feb 09, 2013 07:43pm

For the same reason you've stated in your comment ... it is very unlikely that he will be found guilty. These guys know how to play the games. The know every damn loophole in the law as they are the lawmakers, and they make laws which would be used against the poor people like you and me, but they always put some sort of ambiguous clause in their for their defense. Supreme Court knows this fact as well, which is why they don't want to create any further drama by removing him from the post! It will be a useless effort, and PPP supporters will come out and cry on streets, and will cause more damages to public property than anything! It is sad to say, but it is the reality that we, the people of Pakistan, are like horses with blinkers on our eyes. We only see what is shown to us, and we don't use our brains for anything. Most of the time our votes are also casted for us :) Politics is a big drama - to fool people is a big game that our politicians know how to play. Sad!

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muhammed

Feb 09, 2013 07:47pm

Britain keeps all corrupt, murderous politicians, ex-presidents, ex-prime ministers, for to be used later while Swiss keeps all their black money. Nothing new there. It is working for them now but one day they will regret this practice as what goes around comes around, eventually.

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Disguted Muslim

Feb 09, 2013 08:04pm

Law will take its course...

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Khan

Feb 09, 2013 08:34pm

If sitting President of Sudan could be indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, why can't Zardari face charges of graft in Swiss Courts? Astonishing!. Money belongs to the people of Pakistan. Pakistan should request that funds should be frozen until Zardari is a civilian again and he could be tried for Graft.

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Tariq Khan Mehsud

Feb 09, 2013 08:36pm

zardari is a person who has no moral values left it is an everyday killing business in Karachi and other parts of the country but he is only busy introducing his son to the other crooks shame on him and his crooks shame on you shame on you shame on.

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Salim

Feb 09, 2013 08:36pm

According to Swiss, Zardari is riding a tiger too.

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Arshad Kamal Khan

Feb 09, 2013 08:37pm

Zardari, his party and his legal counsels have prevailed over the people of Pakistan proving that crime pays. Left in the cold will be the poor of Pakistan whose sweat and tears are washed away by the vile and the dishonest. Its a black day for Pakistan and for decent honest people of this world who earn their money by diligence and pay their taxes. Shame on the legal experts who bought time for Zardari.

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pathanoo

Feb 09, 2013 08:43pm

For all I know President Jardari is corrupt. That said, you can not only obey the laws that you like and not (obey) the ones you don't like. Swiss authorities properly followed the international law what ever their reasoning or motives.

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Jacki

Feb 09, 2013 08:52pm

Criminal activities for these guys is a norm. Have you ever seen or heard that any one in his party was convicted for any crimes and we all know all these are involved in at a minimum taking bribes. Let's wait and see

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Mustafa

Feb 09, 2013 08:59pm

Laws have loop holes, always.

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HM, Canada

Feb 09, 2013 09:06pm

Bad day for CJ Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. He has gone too far to press a case while ignoring other case. I think he did it in good will as we have seen in all other case. HE should not resign.

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Shafiq Khan

Feb 09, 2013 09:18pm

With every contribution you fail to understand the role of the SC. It only decides the case that is put in front of it. There are lawyers who present the two sides of a case. The SC like any other Court only pronounces the law of the land as it is. If that decision is not accepted by the guilty party then it is the duty of the executive to enforce it. It has nothing to do with knowing the international law or the person who is guilty. The head of the executive declined to enforce the decision hence that was a contempt of court. You have not read the court decision of the court hence making uninformed comments. Please inform yourself of the issues before making a comment.

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Shafiq Khan

Feb 09, 2013 09:21pm

The SC of Pakistan has jurisdiction only on Pakistan territory . I wish people like you take a little trouble to inform them selves of the basic facts.

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Beg

Feb 09, 2013 09:43pm

Zardari won't have any lawyers in front of Allah. If he would have got punishment here, he would have a chance to be forgiven in hereafter business but now he has no chance to escape Allahs wrath.

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Elect2013

Feb 09, 2013 10:07pm

So what this means is that the government can ask to re-open the case after Mr. Zardari leaves office.

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Adil

Feb 09, 2013 10:48pm

Anyone who goes after there corrupt leaders like Zardari should be fully supported by the Pakistan public whether they follow the law or not, it amazes me that some people leaving comments are talking against the CJ, I would rather the CJ take action against this low life succumb (Zardari) then to do nothing. Pakistan is in this state because of its own people, our public needs to use their vote wisely and vote for PTI.

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Keen Observer

Feb 10, 2013 12:29am

justice delayed is justice denied

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Shakil

Feb 10, 2013 01:06am

Bechara Gilani! he should have written the letter and save his future and corruption! Zardari and late Mohtarma was found guilty in this case, They filed an appeal against it and it was on appeal when NRO kicked in and withdrew case on behalf of Government of Pakistan! People who are saying he is not guilty are wrong. They are letting him go because of immunity because of his position not as he is innocent.

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Arshad Patel,Ohio,USA

Feb 10, 2013 03:17am

One more rabbit out of the magician's hat. A Reality or a Political stunt ?

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