Supreme Court strikes down NRO

Supreme Court of Pakistans 17 member larger bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry unanimously declared National Reconciliation Ordinance as void ab-initio because it contradicts the constitution of Pakistan and interests of the country, reported Dunya News on Wednesday.According to the short verdict of the SC announced after more than five hours delay, all the cases closed under the infamous ordinance will go back to the status of October 5, 2007. Supreme Court in its decision said that only reconciliatory document is 1973 constitution. NRO was not tabled in the parliament, therefore, the decision is given after assessment of the present circumstances. In addition, the court has ordered the government that it should immediately reopen the Swiss cases concerning President Asif Ali Zardari and request the Swiss court to be a party in those cases. It said that former Attorney General Malik Qayyum misused his authorities and directed the government to take action against him. SC also directed the government to change the prosecutor general and chairman NAB. Supreme Court has constituted a monitoring cell headed by CJ Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to monitor the implementation of the verdict.