Bhutto challenges corruption verdict

Decision could end Ms Bhutto's exile

By Zaffar Abbas in Islamabad

The Supreme Court in Pakistan has started hearing an appeal by a former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and her imprisoned husband, Asif Zardari, against their conviction on charges of corruption.

Benazir Bhutto's husband Asif Zardari is already in prison

A special high court bench three years ago found Ms Bhutto and her husband guilty of misusing their authority to award a multi-million dollar contract to a Swiss firm.

They were sentenced to five-year jail terms with a ban on holding public office for seven years.

Both Ms Bhutto and the present military government know that this is a crucial case that could have a direct bearing on the future politics in the country.

Landmark decision

A decision by the Supreme Court to reject the appeal would end Ms Bhutto's political career for at least a few years.

And if the Supreme Court overturns the lower court's decision, it would pave the way for the former prime minister to end her self-imposed exile and return to the country.

For this reason, both sides have acquired the services of top lawyers to defend their respective positions in the case.

Senior members of the government believe it is an open and shut case of corruption and are hoping the Supreme Court will reject the appeal.

New evidence?

Ms Bhutto's lawyers are equally confident of winning, especially after a recent report in the Sunday Times newspaper in London which cast serious doubts on the integrity of one of the trial judges.

The report was said to be based on audio tapes of telephone conversations between one of the judges who was conducting Ms Bhutto's trial and two senior members of the previous government of Nawaz Sharif.

According to the newspaper, a former official of Pakistan's intelligence service had provided tapes.

Ms Bhutto's lawyers asked the Supreme Court to admit the tapes as a fresh piece of evidence which they say would establish that the government tried to influence the outcome of the trial.

The Supreme Court asked state lawyers to reply to the defence demand by Wednesday.