An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to include former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in Benazir Bhutto murder case. The ATC judge Chaudhry Habib-ur-Rehman sought complete challan from the FIA in Benazir murder case after including the name of Musharraf in the investigation. The court adjourned the hearing till May 3.
During the proceedings, FIA's prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfiqar informed the court that the former military ruler has not yet been formally included in the investigation of the case. Barrister Salman Safdar, the counsel for former President Musharraf filed three appeals, including a request to unfreeze his client's assets and bank accounts, besides reversing the decision declaring Musharraf a proclaimed offender and allowing his lawyers to meet him.
The court admitted the former President's plea on unfreezing assets and bank accounts for hearing and issued notice to FIA in this regard. The court also granted permission to Musharraf to consult his lawyers allowing a 15-minute meeting for the purpose inside the court premises.
Heavy contingents of Punjab Police, Rangers and security as well as officials of intelligence agencies were deployed to avoid any untoward incident during the hearing. However, scuffles were witnessed between lawyers and Musharraf's supporters, with both sides pelting stones on each other outside the court building, injuring a few lawyers. Initially, police took no action but later resorted to baton-charge on protestors.