LAHORE – Former attorney general Malik Muhammad Qayyum, an accused in view of NRO judgment, has reached Pakistan after allegedly striking a deal with the government. He astonished his many colleagues on Wednesday when he came at the Supreme Court Lahore Registry to cast his vote for Supreme Court Bar Association Elections.The SC in 2009 declared the National Reconciliation Order (NRO), promulgated by the former military dictator Pervez Mushraf for removing thousands of corruption cases against politicians, including Asif Ali Zardari, bureaucrats and others, null and void.The apex court declared in paragraph 127 of NRO judgment: “Malik Qayyum had issued a letter in personal capacity to the Swiss attorney general for withdrawal of corruption cases against Asif Ali Zardari, now President of Pakistan, and this act was against the Rules of Business, 1973.”The court said that Malik Qayyum should have to consult the Law, Justice and Human Rights Division on all legal questions, arising out of the cases.  The ruling said that in view of the provisions of Article 100(3) of the Constitution, Malik Qayyum could not perform any act that was not assigned to him by the federal government.The court pointed out that the act of writing letter to the Swiss authorities by Malik Qayum was unauthorised, unconstitutional and illegal. The Supreme Court asked the authorities to proceed against Malik Qayyum in accordance with law. Qayyum declared the NRO judgment valid and according to law.  However, he has not yet decided to challenge the actions directed by the apex court in the judgment.Talking to the media in Lahore on Wednesday, he said that both letters written to Swiss authorities for reopening graft cases against Asif Ali Zardari and for withdrawal of the cases were according to the law.  He said he was in Dubai for medical treatment and came to Pakistan after getting permission by his doctors. He said he was still not medically fit.However, a senior lawyer and close friend of the former attorney general, requesting anonymity, said that Qayyum had been assured by the government that no action would be taken against him in view of the NRO judgment.National Accountability Bureau might prepare a reference against Qayyum after determining what loss occurred to the national kitty due to his act, the lawyer said.

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