Asif Ali Zardari, who has emerged as one of the most powerful players in Pakistan’s volatile political scene, has spent more than a decade in jail on corruption charges.

Often referred to as Mr Ten Per Cent for allegedly skimming off millions of pounds in kickbacks in government deals, Mr Zardari finds himself in the role of kingmaker after taking charge of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) after the assassination of his wife, Benazir Bhutto.

The pro-West, liberal PPP is expected to form the government when elections eventually take place, swept to power by millions of voters mourning the death of its charismatic leader.

Mr Zardari, 51, is too astute to believe that he could in effect appoint himself Prime Minister, given the charges that have been levelled against him. But he will choose the man who will take charge of Pakistan at a time of extraordinary violence and upheaval.

Q&A: the murder of Benazir Bhutto

Times South Asia Correspondent asks who had most to gain from killing the Pakistan People's Party leader

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Mr Zardari has spent 11 years in prison, longer than any other Pakistani politician, and he is still dogged by his chequered past. He was widely blamed for many of Ms Bhutto’s political misfortunes: she was twice forced from office as Prime Minister over allegations of corruption and misrule. His elevation to party leader may not immediately affect the PPP’s popularity, but it is resented by party members who see him as a liability.

A playboy with a passion for polo, Mr Zardari rose to fame after his arranged marriage to Ms Bhutto in 1987. He was arrested on corruption charges when Ms Bhutto’s Government was dismissed in August 1990 after being in power for 18 months. Mr Zardari stood trial on charges including bank fraud and extortion. He was accused of trying to extort several million dollars from a British businessman by attaching a bomb to his legs. His supporters said that the charges were politically motivated. He was acquitted of these charges.

He was released from jail in 1993 when the PPP returned to power and was appointed Minister for Investment. But in 1996 Ms Bhutto’s Government was again dismissed on corruption allegations. Mr Zardari was rearrested and charged with corruption and misuse of power. He was also charged with conspiracy in the murder of Murtaza Bhutto, Ms Bhutto’s brother, who was killed during a confrontation with police in Karachi.

According to Pakistani investigators, Mr Zardari amassed more than $100 million in bank deposits and luxury properties abroad, many of them bought with payoffs from foreign companies doing business in Pakistan.

In 1998 Mr Zardari was indicted in Switzerland on money-laundering charges. He denies the allegations. An audit of his assets revealed that he paid about £2 million for a mansion in Surrey, set in 355 acres, hoping to establish a stud farm to breed horses and indulge his passion for polo.

Mr Zardari was freed in December 2004 without being convicted. He lived in New York until returning with his wife to Pakistan late last year.

Chequered past

1987 Asif Ali Zardari wed Benazir Bhutto

1988 Was Bhutto’s investment and environment minister but within months of her first election victory was dubbed Mr Ten Per Cent

1990 Accused of attaching a remote control bomb to a UK-based businessman and forcing him to withdraw money

1993 Released from prison and made a minister

1996 Arrested and charged with the murder of Bhutto’s brother

2004 Released from jail

Source: Times archives

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