A bench of Lahore High Court earlier during the day dismissed an appeal by Interior Minister Rehman Malik against his conviction in two corruption references and restored a three-year imprisonment awarded to him but President Asif Ali Zardari exercising his special powers has pardoned him.Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Baber informed that President Asif Zardari has granted pardon to Rehman Malik under the authority conferred upon him by the Article 45 of the Constitution. He added that the President pardoned the sentence on the advice of the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.According to sources, the summary for the pardon was prepared by the law ministry. Zardari will continue to pardon aides: Sethi Senior analyst Najam Sethi speaking to Dunya news said that the courts would continue to sentence criminals and President Zardari would continue to exercise his power and grant them immunity.He added that even if the Supreme Court convicts presidents close ally Babar Awan for the NRO case president Zardari would also condone his punishment.
