President gives up nuclear control

Pakistan's president turned over command of the country's nuclear arsenal to his political ally the prime minister and signalled he was ready to shed more power amid growing pressure to resign.

The move came as an amnesty protecting Asif Ali Zardari and thousands of others from corruption charges expired, risking political turmoil that could distract the US-allied nation from its fight against the Taliban and other militants near the Afghan border.

Mr Zardari, 54, enjoys general immunity from prosecution as president, but the supreme court could choose to challenge his eligibility for the post since the amnesty decree by ex-military leader General Pervez Musharraf was never passed into law.

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