Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that an amnesty shielding President Asif Ali Zardari and several senior politicians from graft charges was unconstitutional, dpa reported.
The landmark judgment opened the floodgates for the resumption of legal proceedings against more than 8,000 people, including Zardari, who got their corruption and criminal cases closed without prosecution.
Many legal experts say Zardari enjoys immunity from prosecution as long as he is the president. But he still faces threats to his rule if his eligibility for the office is challenged.
Former President Pervez Musharraf issued the amnesty decree, entitled the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), in October 2007 under a reported power-sharing arrangement with Zardari's late wife and ex-premier Benazir Bhutto.
Pakistan court rules illegal graft amnesty for president
