Thursday, July 23, 1998 Published at 15:44 GMT 16:44 UK
World: South Asia
Bhutto 'corruption' documents reach Pakistan
The papers are to be served on Mr Zardari
The Swiss Government has handed over documents to the government of Pakistan which relate to corruption allegations against Pakistan's opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto and her husband, Asif Zardari.
A Swiss magistrate says he has evidence that Asif Zardari received commissions from two Geneva-based companies which had contracts with Pakistan's Government.
Mr Zadari is also charged with trying to launder the money - an offence under Swiss law.
The Pakistani Government says it will serve the papers on Mr Zardari, who is currently in prison on separate charges relating to the murder of Benazir Bhutto's brother.
The documents also allege that money appeared to be accessible to Benazir Bhutto and that in August 1997 she used some of it to purchase a diamond necklace for over $175,000.
A spokesman for Benazir Bhutto denies that she ever made the purchase, and her opposition Pakistan People's Party claims that the Swiss authorities have been misled by false evidence provided by Islamabad.
So far, the Swiss have only charged Asif Zardari, but senior Pakistani officials say they expect that Benazir Bhutto will also be charged in two or three weeks' time.
But Pakistan officials say the documents mark considerable progress in their efforts to prove corruption allegations against Miss Bhutto and her husband.
Officials now say that it is not just Pakistan's courts which believe that there is a case to answer, but also the courts in Switzerland.