Pakistan's Supreme Court has revoked an amnesty which protects senior government figures from corruption charges, opening the door for cases to be reopened against the allies of President Asif Ali Zardari.

The controversial law, known as the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), was introduced by former president Pervez Musharraf more than two years ago in order to allow Mr Zardari's late wife, Benazir Bhutto, to return to the country and stand for office. Mr Musharraf was under international pressure to hold democratic elections and end about eight years of military rule.

Ms Bhutto returned to Pakistan from abroad after the amnesty law was signed, but was assassinated during her electoral campaign. Her husband took her place as leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and went on to win the 2008 polls, restoring civilian rule.

The NRO expired at the end of last month and the PPP did not have enough support to renew the ordinance in parliament. The Supreme Court ruling said all cases under the NRO would be automatically reopened. While the court's move opens the way to possible persecution for President Zardari's political supporters, he himself is shielded by presidential immunity.

Pakistani President Zardari by Wikimedia Commons