Political turmoil deepened in Pakistan as the anti-corruption agency barred Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar from leaving for China and banned 250 officials from going abroad while a court issued an arrest warrant against Interior Minister Rehman Malik after the Supreme Court struck down a graft amnesty.

Authorities have already placed Malik’s name on his Ministry’s exit control list, a move that bars him from travelling abroad.

Judge Mir Muhammad Shaikh of the accountability court in Karachi issued the arrest warrants against Malik in connection with two graft cases that were closed under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). The cases relate to alleged misuse of authority and receipt of two cars for ordering a contract to a firm.

Defence Minister Mukhtar, who was leaving for China on an official visit, said immigration officers barred him from boarding a PIA flight late last night along with the Navy Chief. He said he planned to take delivery of a new warship. He said his name was on the exit control list restricting travel and federal investigation authorities said he cannot leave.

The Supreme Court declared the NRO void on Wednesday and directed authorities to reopen corruption and criminal cases against over 8,000 people that were quashed under the law.

The National Accountability Bureau, the main anti-corruption agency, has filed a petition in an anti-corruption court in Rawalpindi for reviving cases against 19 people, including the Interior Minister, that were withdrawn under NRO. Another anti-corruption court in Lahore issued notices to three NRO beneficiaries, including ruling PPP secretary general Jahangir Badr, who is a close aide of party chief and President Asif Ali Zardari. The notices directed the three persons to appear in the court on December 23.

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