Islamabad: In a development that could lead to a fresh round of political turmoil in Pakistan, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Tuesday told the country’s Supreme Court on Tuesday that his government will reopen graft cases President Asif Ali Zardari.

Ashraf assured the court of action and ordered the Law Minister Farooq Naek to begin proceedings against Zardari.

Pakistani PM also told Supreme Court that he has instructed authorities to revoke former AG's letter asking for closure of graft cases against the President in Switzerland.

Ashraf had earlier faced contempt charge for refusing to revive the cases against Zardari in Switzerland. His predecessor, Yousuf Raza Gilani, was convicted of contempt and disqualified in June.

Although the government’s decision can be read as an attempt to avoid a direct confrontation with the judiciary, the very fact that Zardari has been brought in the line of fire by his own party’s government is surprising. Interestingly, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had said it is willing to nominate other persons to become the premier if Ashraf is disqualified.

The Supreme Court has been pressuring the government to revive the cases against the President since December 2009, when it struck down a graft amnesty issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf that benefited Zardari and over 8,000 others.

The government has refused to act, saying the President enjoys immunity in Pakistan and abroad.