“Rehman Malik was responsible for Benazir Bhutto’s internal security… she was assassinated following a lapse in internal security," sources quote Musharraf. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency will be interrogating former interior minister Rehman Malik in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case, The Express Tribune has learnt.
According to sources in the agency, the decision to include Malik – who was Benazir’s head of security when she was assassinated – in the investigation was taken after former president Pervez Musharraf told the Joint Investigation Team that the former interior minister was responsible for the Pakistan Peoples Party chairperson’s murder.
During his interrogation, Musharraf maintained two security plans had been chalked out for Benazir’s protection; one for external security and the other for internal security.
“Rehman Malik was responsible for Benazir Bhutto’s internal security… she was assassinated following a lapse in internal security,” an FIA source quoted the former president as saying. Musharraf repeatedly denied having any role in the PPP leader’s assassination, he added.
When contacted, Musharraf’s lawyer Salman Safdar confirmed his statement on the existence of an internal security plan under Rehman Malik’s supervision.
“Only Malik knew about the arrangements made for that plan,” he maintained.
“Why was there such a major breach of security? Only he can give an answer to that… Malik also needs to explain why he took control of the case when the JIT was already investigating it,” the lawyer added.
Safdar also defended Musharraf’s statement that he had no role in the assassination, saying security was in fact provided to the slain PPP leader.
“Around 1,371 security personnel had been deployed at the time to protect the public gathering and even the stage,” he maintained, adding that Benazir had been advised to leave the stage earlier than the scheduled time, avoid exposing herself and stay inside her vehicle since there was a genuine threat to her life. The lawyer said Benazir chose not to stick security plan and exposed herself to the attack by coming out of the vehicle’s sunroof.
He also questioned why only Musharraf was being investigated when Benazir had expressed similar suspicions against three other persons as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 29th, 2013.
COMMENTS (10)
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Bibi was murdered on Mushaaf's watch! He alone has the info about those who were actualy involved and those who the collaboratos were!! Now he is talking! Why did he not eveal the 'name' before? Pehaps for his own protection from the law?
Rex Minor
A lot of ifs & whats are asked about the act of judiciary.
Gen Musharraf is not the first who has taken the power from democratic government, then why only Musharraf is charged. If Judiciary really wants to make a transparent trail lets start from Field Marshal Ayub khan. The cope was already completed by other crop commanders before landing Musharraf on the soil. Was the rocket which hits Bughti could be fired without permission of Local commander and were Bughti and Ghazi not challenging the writ of Government.This must be the "uniquest" investigation where only one man is questioned. So much for the independent judiciary.
@Jude Allen: PPP was not in government, it was Musharraf who was president when BB was assassinated...Scotland Yard never got to investigate the general because he refused as president, to be part of investigation....
Musharraf warned BB on pressing security matters and provided her with adequate security. So who advised her to deviate from the security SOP? Why did Rehman Malik flee immediately after BBs killing? Why were BBs two trusted bodyguards made scapegoats? Why was the crime scene washed away by PPP government? and why has the judiciary only probed the general? Very strange dont you think?
I am not sure whether or not Musharraf is in trouble, but rest are definitely on is return :). Thanks to him for returning and exposing faces of culprits, judiciary, media and criminals...
Musharraf has nothing to do with this case. This is only a tactic to keep him away from elections and keep him indulge in baseless issues. Had there been an intention to get hold of culprits, they must have been caught by now.
A comprehensive and integrated efforts by all agencies shall probe this important issue. All culprits must be taken to the task by exemplary punishment.This nation have suffered a lot in past, because all such events had not been unearthed by saying a ''state secret'' to give complete cover to actual culprits.
Its surprising why Musharraf is being interrogated despite so many officials were directly responsible for the security of BB. What happened to the report of Scotland Yard and the statement of Zardari saying Mehsood killed BB. Why not then police officials and law enforcement people are being interrogated. Who forced her to get out of sun roof and bullet proof car. There are so many to be interrogated before Mushsarraf.
Rehman Malik prior to becoming Interior Minister was the Chief Security Officer of the slain Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.
He will be quite instrumental in revealing the facts as why the convoy of BB change its route when she was it suppose to on the new route which was not included when she was coming back after delivering her speech inLiaquat Bagh onDecember 27, 2007.
Moreover, he can also throw light on the assassination of Benazir's personal Securuty Officer Shahinshah, after the death of BB which took place in Karachi.
Rehman Malik is one of the person who can reveal many facts, which has not been highlighted as yet.