The PPP chief has always maintained that the cases against him were politically motivated and none were proven.
Zardari served as member of the National Assembly, lower house of Parliament, during 1990-93 and 1993-96 and also as Federal Minister of the Environment during 1993-1996 and Minister of Investment during 1995-96. He had been a Senator during 1997-1999.
Under Zardari's leadership of the party, Yousuf Raza Gilani was elected Prime Minister and won the vote of confidence unopposed.
Some western media reports suggested that Zardari was suffering from mental illnesses as recently as last year. The illnesses were said to be linked to the fact that he has spent 11 of the past 20 years in Pakistani prisons, where he claims to have been tortured.
Several US officials were reportedly concerned over Zardari's mental health following claims in the media in this regard and were wary of him having partial control over Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
Image: A file photograph of United States Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher and Asif Ali Zardari at a joint press conference in Islamabad.
Photographs: Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images
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