Benazir murder case: Musharraf to be indicted on Aug 6

Dawn.com Published July 30, 2013

RAWALPINDI: Former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf is to be indicted on August 6 in the Benazir Bhutto murder case, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi said Tuesday.

Musharraf was also produced amidst tight security during today’s hearing of the case headed by ATC judge Habibur Rahman.

Copies of records pertaining to the case were made available to the former military strongman and he kept a set of the copies after signing the requisite document.

Moreover, Saud Aziz, who was City Police Officer (CPO) of Rawalpindi when Benazir was assassinated on December 27, 2007, and the then SP Khurram Shahzad appeared before the ATC.

The court ordered the authorities to produce the former president at the next hearing of the case, adding that he would be indicted on August 6. The case was subsequently adjourned to the said date.

Following the adjournment, the former president returned to his Chak Shahzad residence, which had been declared sub-jail.

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack outside Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on December 27, 2007 while Musharraf was president. She was killed after addressing an election campaign rally in the city.

The ATC had named Musharraf in the case in February 2011, and in August the same year he was declared a proclaimed offender and his property was attached because of his absence.

Meanwhile, the ATC in Rawalpindi also heard the petition seeking the release of Musharraf’s assets and bank accounts.

The court ordered the restoration of the former president's assets after hearing the petition.

Earlier, the ATC had attached the accounts and other moveable and immovable assets of Musharraf in August 2011 after he was declared a proclaimed offender for his repeated absence in the Benazir murder case in which he is an accused.

In related news, the Balochistan High Court rejected Musharraf’s bail application in the Akber Bugti murder case.

A two-member bench of the Balochistan High Court, comprising Justice Naeem Afghan and Justice Mustafa Mengal, heard the case.

Pakistan

Benazir murder case: ATC orders authorities to produce Musharraf on July 9

asim

Jul 30, 2013 02:25pm

NO BODY CAN PUNISH MUSH AN INVISIBLE FORCE IS BEHIND HIM

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abid mohiuddin

Jul 30, 2013 02:45pm

Soon they will be ashamed of what they are doing to musharraf and Musharraf will be released with full honor insha Allah

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zaffar

Jul 30, 2013 03:39pm

The whole thing is nothing,but personal vendetta of nawaz and co.

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rizwan

Jul 30, 2013 06:13pm

Release Mr Mashraff,, Poeple who are prosecuting him are doing it out of fear, pressure and impress the present forces in power... Those after the one man are the real traitors to the country. did Bughti not want to seperate Pakistan by using outside countries. Is that allowed.

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saeed

Jul 30, 2013 06:25pm

So unfair. Cant believe that courts and judges can fall to such a low level.

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Muzamil

Jul 30, 2013 06:26pm

I feel bad for him. No doubt everyone isn't good but he stabilized pakistan in his time.

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ali

Jul 30, 2013 06:42pm

@asim: Ameen

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Abdullah

Jul 30, 2013 06:55pm

Stop the farce, how can he ever be guilty of Benazir's murder. She and others' close to her chose her path for her, the best revenge lot.

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Max

Jul 30, 2013 07:49pm

@asim: Why not get Sharif or Zardari ? Mush. did NOTHING !

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Syed

Jul 30, 2013 08:38pm

First Nawaz Sharrif should put put on trial for putting civilian lives in danger,and not allowing a Pakistani commercial alirliner not to land on Pakistan soil.They are just pathetically corrupt.

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Sri1

Jul 30, 2013 09:25pm

Hmmm, personal vendetta? Interesting. After Benazir's assassination, the entire place was cleansed thoroughly with water cannons leaving no clues at all for forensic experts. Even Zardari has not pursued Mushy, Sharief is way behind in line. The Balochis will want their just desserts as Mushy deliberately got Bugti killed.

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Imran Bajwa

Jul 30, 2013 09:32pm

A good move towards justice. Where is Mr Shaukat Aziz. He is the prime culprit behind the plot. He was head of the administration at that time. He too must be brought to justice.

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NASR

Jul 30, 2013 10:04pm

I am very surprised how Gen. Musharraf new have kept on attracting the dawn readers and have always gathered favorable comments and always collected more likes then dislikes. He sure have a loyal and good fans and followers.

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Habib Rahman

Jul 30, 2013 10:06pm

All cases against Musharraf are bogus and political vendetta.Hopefully he will be released and come out as hero, something like Nelson Mandela did and get rid of of the IMF mess, terrorism, massive deficit and unending load shedding and put the country back on development path of growth (7%GDP) and prosperity as he did before.I have lost trust in civilian govts, they had plenty chances to prove but failed, no more than 3.8 to 4% GDP growth with heavy borrowing from abroad and within and broken promises, mismanagement and corruption.GOD save Pakistan.

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Shaheed

Jul 30, 2013 11:57pm

@zaffar: Nawaz is really a lier because the day he won election he had said kee Maine sab ok manf Kia , where is nawaz wordings.

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Janikhel

Jul 31, 2013 12:11am

@asim: I am NOT fond of former President, but there will not be a single shred of credible evidence to prove against the President, instead PUT Zardari and Sharif's the Lohar group in jail.

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optimist

Jul 31, 2013 02:25am

I agree that it is a personal vendetta of nawaz shareef and Iftikhar Choudhry. He is also targetted as he is not son of the soil. People of Pakistan should not forget that he brought Pakistan from a brink of bankruptcy to prosperity for the masses.

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Ajaya K Dutt

Jul 31, 2013 02:33am

@abid mohiuddin: Yes. He will be released with full honor, at the cost of Honor of Pakistan; because invisible force is behind him.

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Rehan Ghazi

Jul 31, 2013 03:39am

@asim what is that invisible force?

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Mustafa

Jul 31, 2013 04:49am

Oh Allah, Subhanahu Taala, please create another Pervez Musharraf in dedicated and brave Pakistan Army to salvage Pakistan and make it the best country in the Islamic world where peace and justice for all should be No. 1 priority. Ameen!

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K B Kale

Jul 31, 2013 06:45am

@Mr Zaffar @Mr Abid @Mr Asim Let the court hear out the case, examine the evidence and decide whether Mush is guilty as charged or not. Why are you running a "Kangaroo" court of your own. Nobody should be above the law!

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S. A. M.

Jul 31, 2013 07:07am

His crime is that he tried to do good for Pakistan and its people. His another folly is that he remained an honest person as the head of state. Why did you do that Musharaf. you ccould have easily do what most of the corrupt politicians have been doing for the country and today they would have been your bust buddies. No one would have dared to touch you even. I hope there will be someone really honest in our govt who will help Musharraf.

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Mustafa

Aug 01, 2013 09:56am

@K B Kale. It is absolutely true what you said "Nobody should be above the law!

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