Across Asia: Pakistan

Zardari amnesty hearing

Pakistan's Supreme Court began hearing petitions yesterday against an expired amnesty that had protected President Asif Ali Zardari and key allies from graft charges, a case that could lead to legal challenges to his rule.

A ruling against Zardari risks political turmoil just as the Obama administration and other Western allies want Pakistan to redouble its fight against Al-Qaida and the Taliban near the Afghan border.