Pakistan court orders arrest of Bhutto's husband

A Pakistani court today ordered the arrest of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s husband in connection with the killing of a former judge and his son in 1996.

Asif Ali Zardari was released from eight years in jail last month after the Supreme Court granted him bail involving other cases over alleged corruption.

A judge of the anti-terrorism court in Karachi, Pir Ali Shah, ordered Zardari’s arrest today after cancelling his bail, citing his failure to attend proceedings in the murder trial, said Shahadat Awan, a lawyer for Zardari.

Maula Bakhsh Bhatti, a government prosecutor, confirmed the orders to arrest Zardari.

The court is carrying out the trial in connection with the killing of a former judge and his son in Karachi eight years ago. Both were shot dead near their home while they were driving in a car.

Details about what allegations Zardari faces in the case were not immediately available.

Bhutto was twice elected prime minister but in both cases her governments were dismissed for allegations of corruption and misrule in the 1990s.

Zardari is accused of making illegal money while his wife was the prime minister.

He had also been a member of the senate and minister for investment in Bhuto’s cabinet.

Zardari was due to travel to Rawalpindi, a city near the capital Islamabad, later today to address a rally.