Islamabad, July 31: Former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari has been acquitted on the last of the two cases against him for attempting to commit suicide, and the magistrate has said he may be released from prison if not required in any other case. Zardari smiled with relief as the judicial magistrate Syeda Perveen shah yesterday delivered the order in central prison, on an application filed by his counsel Shahadat Awan. Shah observed that there was no possibility of the conviction of the accused as the prosecution agency itself had admitted that the case was false. The accused may be released forthwith if not required in any other case, the judge ordered. The former parliamentarian was arrested in 1996 after the dismissal of Benazir's government by the then president Farooq Leghari. He was booked on May 19, 1999, by Karachi police for attempting to commit suicide while in custody.

His counsel said Zardari was subjected to torture during police custody and he received injuries to his tongue, adding the police concocted the entire story to escape the criminal liability of torturing an accused in custody.

He alleged the case was an outcome of political victimisation, to demolish the image of Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party.

Zardari is still facing trial in 14 cases. Earlier on July 9, the same magistrate had acquitted him in another case on attempt to commit suicide.

Bureau Report