Charges dropped against Bhutto's husband

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, March 5 (UPI) -- A high court in Pakistan dismissed corruption charges against Asif Zardari, the co-chairman of Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party.

Zardari, Bhutto's husband, spent 11 years in prison for corruption and other charges. He also spent eight years in exile in London.

A reconciliation board in Rawalpindi dropped charges against Zardari and ordered the release of his assets, the Associated Press of Pakistan said Wednesday. The Pak Tribune said the court released several cars impounded in relation to the case.

Zardari requested that all references to the charges be stricken from the record in Geneva, London and Pakistan. Court officials said the Pakistani government petitioned British and Swiss courts to honor the request.

Court officials said they wouldn't object to requests for relief stemming from the cases if Zardari and his associates requested such a measure, the Pakistani English daily, The Nation said.

Bhutto's name was removed from the corruption charges following her assassination on Dec. 27.