PAKISTAN

Amnesty Ends for Zardari

President could face corruption charges.

As of Saturday, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari's amnesty against corruption charges expired, threatening to further destabilize Pakistan's government. The amnesty, called the National Reconciliation Ordinance, was passed in October 2007 under Zardari's predecessor, Pervez Musharraf. With its expiration, Pakistan's supreme court could reopen corruption cases against the president. A spokesman said that Zardari is "absolutely not concerned" about the possibility of corruption charges. The president—the former husband of the late Benazir Bhutto—has been urged to give up many of the powers that Musharraf had bestowed on the office of the president when the former ruler imposed military rule, but despite repeated promises, Zardari has failed to cede his power to dissolve parliament or dismiss the prime minister.