RAWALPINDI, Feb 2 An anti-terrorism court (ATC) here on Saturday extended the physical remand of two suspects in PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto's assassination plot for 10 days as the investigators requested more time to extract further information.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Waqar Ahmed Chohan, a member of the investigation team, asked ATC No. 1 Judge Habibur Rehman to extend by 12 days the detention of 18-year-old Aitzaz Shah and his accomplice, Sher Zaman.

However, the judge allowed 10 days of physical remand of the two men.

In his submission, the investigators stated that they wanted more time to extract further information from the accused about the attack on Benazir Bhutto and the other people involved in the assassination.

They said incriminating evidence and material was also to be collected from the two men.

Aitzaz and Sher Zaman are suspects in a case registered by the City police on December 27, 2007, and are facing the charges of murder, attempted murder, terrorism, having and using banned explosive materials, causing mischief by fire and explosives to damage property and criminal conspiracy.

On Saturday, they were brought to the court in an armoured personnel carrier (APC) surrounded by Elite Force commandos. Before their arrival, the area around the court was cleared and sniffer dogs were also used.

Media persons and cameramen were not allowed to have a glimpse of the accused.

According to reports, the two men were arrested by the Dera Ismail Khan police in the second week of January when they entered the city riding a car.

Police had said that during preliminary investigation, Aitzaz revealed that he knew the group that planned and executed the December 27 attack on Benazir Bhutto outside Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi when she left the park after addressing a big election rally.

The attack killed Ms Bhutto along with 21 workers of PPP. He (Aitzaz) said he was next in line to kill the PPP leader had the first attack failed.

Opinion

Editorial

Improved outlook
Updated 16 Apr, 2025

Improved outlook

Remittances have proved to be most crucial lifeline for Pakistan in recent years.
Water dispute
16 Apr, 2025

Water dispute

WITH a long, hot summer looming ahead, the last thing the country needs is two provinces fighting over water. Yet,...
A positive start
16 Apr, 2025

A positive start

FROM American threats of bombing Iran, things have taken a more positive turn as President Donald Trump’s emissary...
Iran slayings
Updated 15 Apr, 2025

Iran slayings

State authorities on both sides must investigate latest attack, while Tehran should locate perpetrators and bring them to justice.
AI in the courts
15 Apr, 2025

AI in the courts

SUPREME Court Justices Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Mansoor Ali Shah’s judgment on the use of AI in the judiciary landed...
Refusal crisis
15 Apr, 2025

Refusal crisis

PAKISTAN’S polio case count, with 105 days of the year lapsed so far, is in the single digits. But the question ...