Former interior minister Rehman Malik. PHOTO: FILE
In a statement recorded before the head of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Additional Director General Khalid Qureshi, Malik said he wrote multiple letters to Musharrafrequesting him to provide appropriate security to Benazir Bhutto.
“Malik was approached by the JIT after Musharraf’s recent statements were recorded during his physical remand,” said an official of the FIA. He added that the former president had earlier told Qureshi and his team of investigators that the government had already conveyed the risks and dangers involved in Benazir’s visit to LiaquatBagh on the day of her assassination.
Musharraf told the investigators that Malik had not only ignored the warning, but was not evenpresent when the bomb attack took place.
Malik has already been interrogated multiple times by different investigation officers on all aspects that came to fore during the probe. He maintained his stance that the incident that took Benazir’s life occurred due to a security lapse and blamedthe ‘Musharraf-led administration’ for it.
The recent interview with the JIT comes in response to Musharraf’s fresh statements accusing Malik of the security lapse and of notproperlybriefing the former premier on risks to her life.
In his latest statements, Malik has again denied the allegations. Hereiteratedhis stance saying that he had held meetings with GeneralMusharraf besides writing him multiple letters for Benazir’s security. He added that Benazirwas aware of the risks involved, but insisted on going to Liaquatbagh despite the threats.
The former president, whiledenying the allegations told the investigation team that Benazir had violated security protocol by coming out of her vehicle, which led to her assassination.
Judicial Remand
A special judge of the Anti Terrorism Court, Chaudhry Habibur Rehman, sent Pervez Musharraf on a 14-day judicial remand on Tuesday.
Musharraf was to be produced before the court by the end of his four-day physical remand butthe FIA filed an application to the trial court requesting it to extend his remand in light of threats to his life.
During the hearing, Ali and other investigators also informed the court that the investigation in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case was over and the agency did not want the court to extend his physical remand.
Accepting the application the court sent Musharraf on a 14-day judicial remand. The court also directed the investigation team to produce the former president before the court on May 3.
COMMENTS (7)
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Blame for blame is not the answer to what happened in Liaqat Bagh that day. First of all BB is responsible for taking it to her own hands the security while showing herself out of the vehicle she was being driven. Secondly Mr Malik who was responsible for security to let it happen. Thirdly the government that failed to stop the programme at first place. All other options and rummers are nothing but waste of time.
He was not arrested from the place of occurence, there is no recovery of crime weapon from him, FIR has been registered not by name, there are no eyewitnesses or circumstancial evidence.
He came from a foreign country,and produced himself before the court Medical evidence is a essential part of murder case,there is no P.M. report in the case file.
NO doubt, the person involved deserve to bail.
The former president, whiledenying the allegations told the investigation team that Benazir had violated security protocol by coming out of her vehicle, which led to her assassination.
Qureshi and his team of investigators that the government had already conveyed the risks and dangers involved in Benazir’s visit to LiaquatBagh on the day of her assassination.
It is true,Benazir was informed regarding the risks but she did no care,So there are chances of his bail. At this stage,his counsel is hopeful and saying,''We will face the case registered in his absentia and with blessing of Allah the Almighty pass through the testing time . According to him this case is absolutely fabricated my client is not involved in it directly or indirectly,defence counsel further add that,''I am hopeful would be able to secure bail very soon.
Being Chief Security Officer of Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, Rehman Malik was suppose to sit in the same vehicle in which BB was traveling, but due to some unknown reasons, Rehman Malik opted to sit in another vehicle.
Every leader of PPP gave shoulder to the coffin of BB and when she were laid to rest, leaders of PPP became ministers and looted the country with both hands during the entire period of PPP tenure.
Had BB been alive, the loot and plunder would not been possible.
While PPP was in opposition during Musharraf's regime, I met with late Fauzia Wahab and had extensive talks on politics.
I gave her some suggestions to convey it to BB while she was in Dubai.
After two days, I called late Fauzia Wahab and asked her, what was the reply of BB.
Fauzis told me that BB agreed to all of my suggestions. My suggestions were based on the point that who should be given party tickets and who should not. More particularly, I emphasized on the point due to which BB lost power in both tenure of her government.
I do not want to elaborate more at this point, as people know what I am talking about.
Yawnnnnnnnnnn!
RM proves his foolishness every time he opens his mouth. To think, he was responsible for BB's security and the country's for past 5 years.
we all know who ran before the incident happened after 5 years of governance you are blaming musharaf