ISLAMABAD: The prosecution in the Benazir Bhutto murder trial completed the reading of statements by its 39 witnesses on Wednesday.

The special prosecutor of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is likely to complete the reading of all 68 witness statements on Thursday, after which final arguments could conclude by Saturday.

On Wednesday, Special Prosecutor Khawaja Imtiaz read the statements of former National Crisis Management Cell director general retired Brig Javed Iqbal Cheema, doctors who conducted autopsies on those killed in the December 2007 terrorist attack and the testimony of rescue workers and police officials.

He also read statements by SSP Ishfaq Anwar, who had testified against SSP Khurram Shehzad and Deputy Inspector General of Police Saud Aziz.

Anti-terrorism court judge Asghar Ali Khan, who has decided to hold trial proceedings on a daily basis, adjourned proceedings until Thursday. Benazir Bhutto’s murder trial began in early 2008 and has been pending adjudication for several years.

Currently, seven suspects – including two high-ranking police officials and five alleged TTP members – are facing trial.

Former president retired Gen Pervez Musharraf has also been accused in the trial, but the court has separated his trial since he is an absconder in the case.

Mr Musharraf is also facing a high treason case for suspending the constitution on Nov 3, 2007. He was on the exit control list, but the interior ministry in March 2016 allowed him to travel abroad after the superior courts lifted the ban on him in this regard.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2017