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Federal Investigation Agency on Tuesday formally declared former president and army chief General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) as main accused in Benazir Bhutto murder case and submitted a challan against him in an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC). The ATC judge, Habib-ur-Rehman, heard the Benazir Bhutto murder case on Tuesday.
During the hearing, FIA submitted a four-point charge sheet containing the statements of four witnesses, including two American reporters, as well as Benazir's own statement against Musharraf in connection with the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
According to the challan, Musharraf has been declared an accused in Benazir Bhutto murder case in the light of the statement given by American journalist Mark Siegel and has alleged that Musharraf was involved in Benazir's murder conspiracy. The charge-sheet also levelled terrorism accusations against the former president and army chief.
FIA's Prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar could not appear in the court due to security concerns. The CPO informed the court that police would provide security to prosecutor from airport to the court but it was not possible to ensure round-the-clock security to him. The court ordered FIA prosecutor to ensure presence in the court during the next hearing. The ATC granted a one-day exemption to Musharraf from appearing in the court due to security concerns.
During the next hearing, the court would decide whether it would Musharraf permanent exemption from appearing in the court. Later, the court adjourned the hearing of case till July 2. FIA team investigating Benazir Bhutto murder has submitted nine challans in the court till date. It has so far arrested five persons in connection with Benazir Bhutto murder.
Musharraf's counsel Barrister Salman Safdar, while talking to media persons, said that prosecution was adamant to proceed against the former president adding that the exercise would only result in acquittal 'pure and simple.' He said out of 141 witnesses, the prosecution was using the testimony of Mark Siegal to justify their stance while Siegal refused to appear to testify his statement in the court. He also termed it illogical that the former president was accused of assassinating Bhutto while he was not made party to Karsaz carnage which was completely politically motivated. Benazir was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack outside Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh on December 27, 2007.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2013

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