Ongoing case: SHC grants former CM protective bail

Mumtaz Ali Bhutto is accused of PPP worker's murder in Larkana

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Wednesday granted protective bail to former chief minister Mumtaz Ali Bhutto who was booked in the murder case of a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) worker in Larkana.

According to the prosecution, Bhutto, who is chief of the Sindh National Front, allegedly instigated the murder of PPP worker Asadullah Khuhro over a property dispute between two tribes in Keti Mumtaz area. A single high court bench, comprising Justice Shahnawaz Tariq, approved the 10-day protective bail of Bhutto against a surety bond of Rs100,000. The bench ruled that the bail will cease to have effect on December 9. Meanwhile, he was directed to approach the relevant trial court.

The former chief minister, through his lawyer Sadiq Tanoli, submitted in the high court that he was falsely implicated in the case at the behest of his political rivals and maintained that he was innocent. He contended that he wanted to surrender before the trial court but apprehended that he might be arrested and victimised. Bhutto added that his residence in Larkana was also under siege by the police.

The FIR against him is registered on the complaint of the brother of deceased, Punhal Khuhro, at the Keti Mumtaz police station. Others, identified as Mor Narejo, Zahid Mirani, Imam Din Narejo and Momin, have been nominated as alleged assailants who committed the murder allegedly on Bhutto's directives.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2016.