Pakistan

Benazir murder case: Court asks FIA to hasten Musharraf’s arrest

British authorities in contact with Pakistan; Musharraf not arrested due to absence of extradition treaty.

Obaid Abbasi April 10, 2011

RAWALPINDI:

Anti-terrorism Court (ATC) Special Judge Rana Nasir Ahmed has asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to speed up the process of executing the arrest warrants of former president Pervez Musharraf for his alleged involvement in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Ahmed expressed his annoyance at the delay in arresting the former president and asked the FIA to produce him in court by April 23. The FIA, meanwhile, has sought more time from the court, saying the process of arresting Musharraf is under way.

During the course of hearing on Saturday at Adiala Jail, head of FIA Joint Investigation Team (JIT) Wajid Zia submitted a letter from the British home department, contending that the authorities are in contact with the FIA and the warrants are under process.

He added that the British Prime Minister David Cameron, who was visiting Pakistan a few days back, had asked the government to send a formal request in this regard.

Former City Police Officer Saud Aziz and Superintendent Police Khurram Shahzad were also present at the hearing, their first appearance at the court after being released on bail through a Lahore High Court order.

Meanwhile, their former counsel Malik Waheed Anjum requested the court to issue red warrants for Musharraf, saying he is responsible for Bhutto’s assassination but living comfortably in the UK.

The court observed that the trial court does not have the authority to issue red warrants.

Earlier, on April 2, Zia had been summoned to personally appear before the court and apprise it on the delay in serving the arrest warrants.

The court had re-issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Musharraf to be served on him at his London address on February 18.

The former president is allegedly involved in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Despite being aware of the imminent danger to her life, he did not take the requisite security measures to prevent her assassination, according to the findings of a 57-page report submitted earlier before the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (40)

Adeel | 13 years ago | Reply All those PTI supporter who press "recommend" on anti musharraf comments must start drafting their defence argument when the MQM, PTI and APML alliance comes forth...

Adeel | 13 years ago | Reply All is know that during his time the roti was for Rs. 2 and now it is of Rs7 despite a pumper wheat crop last year, period!

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Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply @Q: What is your defination of victory ??? That the soldiers who died were not acknowledged for long time and even then in very low key statement!!! Where was your victory for rather foolhardy adventure??? Ask the families of those whose lives perished for this crazy scheme!!!! Then come back and talk about victory!!!! Idiot!!!

Sultan Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply PPP in center, PML(n) in the province, and in such circumstances, Musharraf come Pakistan, it security risk,shouldn't come, let the atmosphere change,military is coming into power, it will take no more time,please wait.

ruya | 13 years ago | Reply he is a patriot far better then any politician in the country we love you !!!! come back and kick off all the corrupted political leadership

Pakistan Zindabad | 13 years ago | Reply @Q & other Mushy lovers: Let Mushy come to Pakistan and face the music in the courts! Why have you started crying about the allegations being baseless etc, let the courts decide! Some people in Pakistan love to lick the shoes of dictators and that's why Pakistan hasn't seen a stable democratic government in its history. Pakistan Zindabad! Long Live Pakistan! Long Live Cheif Justice Pakistan!!

Q | 13 years ago | Reply For all those who don't know, Kargil was a victory.

Q | 13 years ago | Reply This is an absolutely baseless allegation that I keep saying because it is a fact. Long Live Musharraf.

Paki | 13 years ago | Reply Busharraf started & lost the kargil war, brought the NRO, improved export of pakis (branding them as militant exports), attacked laal masjid and now ran away pakis.

salim | 13 years ago | Reply @Ahmed: Perhaps you prefer or like Zia ul Haq. His gift Afghan war, drugs, guns and Nawaz Sharif!

Rayan | 13 years ago | Reply These old rice politicians are now focusing to arrest this and arrest that, what about their sins? why government is not opening their own cases to judge and why this so called CJ Choudhary is not issuing warrant for their trials. Because CJ along with current politions are a big drama. Musharraf raise our country and did many improvements. In his government we were tension free unlike today's hunger and unrespectful time. These Old Rice always wants to remove the one who is fruitful to Pakistani nation, in order to keep their bellies full all the time.

Riaz Butt | 13 years ago | Reply @MADA Very well said Sir/Madam.

khurram kaleem | 13 years ago | Reply PML N and PPP are far far better than the mocking man in the uniform. The damage mussharaf inflicted on pakistan society by ridiculing ideology of pakistan and making the institutiion of army in a conflicting image has threathened our existence Musharaf was the worst man ever witnessed as leader of this state after Zia ul haque

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply When will the idiots who are commenting, realise that UK & Pakistan do not have Extradition Treaty !!!! Period. Perhaps ET should write an article about the mechanics of Extradition treaties and its functions worldwide. Sadly Pakistan has never been part of this process due to their own reasons. Its seems Pak is very selective about the issues that they place importance to, The number of times UK has requested Extradition of Pak Origin persons for commiting crimes in UK, They were advised that they could not assist as there was no Extradition treaty!!!!1 Now they are jumping up about this matter. In fact everyone involved in regards to this case are showing their stupidity as they all know, that due to absence of treaty, its not going to happen !!!! Perhaps this drama is for media and the masses they still keep on fooling!!!!!

Yousaf | 13 years ago | Reply I am amazed for the ignorance of the people opposing General Musharraf just by words instead of facts, seriously you guys need to read more..... It is not good for you just to comment on any news you like or dislike. It is proven fact that the Pakistan had made a remarkable progress from 1999 to 2007 during Musharraf era. He might have made mistakes which every government does, but if you see his regime with wide angle, you will see a lot of positive things instead of few mistakes. One major setback we are facing is that Foreign Investment almost disappeared after Musharraf, stock exchange collapsed and Dollar went up to 85 Rs. Above, World has lost faith in us, no one believe us and no one trust us. How many people in outside world will understand that Judiciary's action against Musharraf is justified? No one I believe as world see Musharraf through a different lens. Likewise, many Pakistanis are sure that this trial is nothing but to discourage Musharraf. In my opinion, the present government is unable to continue or incompetent to go with the pace of the policies and reforms introduced by General Musharraf, that's the main cause everyone is suffering, not because of Musharraf. I would oppose Musharraf, and praising the democracy if any Pakistani restore the prices of $ and basic commodities to 2007... including Sugar. **All Pakistanis needs to understand that Democracy is best way government, but all needs to understand that it is Democracy is BEST work for us only if prevail in capable, sincere and patriot hands - not just bunch of stupid politicians. All Pakistanis needs to undederstand this fact also that, a new, young, vibrant, brave, agressive & Educated generation needs to come forward to takeover Pakistan back from these looters, the uneducated law makers and self proclaimed owners of Pakistan.**

Zaka | 13 years ago | Reply Musharraf was much better than present jokers, be it PMLN or PPP.

Zahid Hussain Khalid | 13 years ago | Reply I want to share a very strange reality with participants of this discussion. Pervez Musharraf was ONLY a CEREMONIAL PRESIDENT like ASIF ALI ZARDARI. He was surrounded by an influential GROUP OF TECHNOCRATS, POLITICIANS and BUREAUCRATS who made sure that Presidential Writ was restricted only to and within the four walls of Presidential Office. Seven Points Agenda was abandoned and turned into a Conceptual Joke! Economic Team takes pride in rehabilitating the economy simply by Rescheduling of the Debt but failed in taking any advantage of the fiscal breathing space provided by NATO allies in return for Pakistan's acceptance to do the donkey work in so-called FAKE WAR on TERROR. The Political Team engineered the military Mullah Alliance with the help of ISI instead of preparing ground for mass consensus to declare war against social and economic evils by mobilizing the influence groups in the four provinces of Pakistan. The Intelligence / Military Team failed to understand the importance of human buffer consisting of pro-Pakistan neutral Taliban by extending costly logistic military support against peanuts that have almost bankrupted Pakistan financially. The Media Team played the most damaging role by hiding the Realities on Ground and drawing wrong conclusions from the reasons for and fall out of War in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Top of all that the final blow came from the attempt to remove the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and imposition of Emergency Rule AGAIN on the ADVICE of everybody knows who just to neutralize the anticipated legal and judicial action against NRO tailored mutually by the intelligence agencies of four countries with very well known strategic political and military objectives. BOTTOM LINE: It is good to issue arrest orders against Pervez Musharrf BUT...what about all others who were far more actively involved in anti-state activities to permanently de-rail Pakistan from it very survival track. What we need is a broader and complete view of the social, political, economic, military and diplomatic scenario to DO JUSTICE TO PAKISTAN! Because, Pervez Musharraf and his entire team did not harm a single person or allegedly eliminated Benazir they have destabilized Pakistan. ALL OF THEM need to be punished for that.

Hussain | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan must be ruled by military if we see the history of our country it always progresses in military era after Liaquat Ali Khan i hav'nt seen any political leader who sincerely served for Pakistan

Faraz | 13 years ago | Reply The judge is playing to media galleries.High court already sent saud aziz and khuram shazad free,so it is quite obvious that this judge is a media coverage monger as his ideal iftikhar ch.

Malik Tabeer | 13 years ago | Reply Well Now it seemed based judiciary , Alllllllllllllllllllllll hopes Gone

Aamer | 13 years ago | Reply @RR Like he got the support of political parties on joining US war? Like he got the support of political parties on each and every decision? Well just like he didnt in the above two cases, he could've just built it thus the tag 'dictator'

MI | 13 years ago | Reply For those who are righting off Musharraf. At least three News Paper (Daily Express, Jinnah, Khabrain) reported yesterday that the political figures who met Musharraf this week in Dubai include: Imran Khan of PTI, Pir Pighara's son of PML F, SM Zafar of PML Q, Makhdum Ahemd of PML F, a well know figure of Bahawalpur, Shamim Akhtar of MQM and others. He is working on a larger set up against the corrupt PPP+PMLN. All the sincere pople are now returning to Musharraf. The nation will see pleasant surprises in the days to come.

MADA | 13 years ago | Reply Afaq@ not all pakistanis are waiting for trial , absolutely wrong what ever he has done was right and great for pakistan. he is as honest and man of character look at HEC what a great achievement of his regime now this government is devolving to hideout fake degrees. tell me who else in the history of pakistan had done such a remarkable job like HEC .... poor, middle and lower middle class had really comfortable life now every one is hopeless and even more hopeless not because of politician but because of civil society members like you who oppose such leader , tell me who else in your opinion is going to lead the country ... people shouted for chaudry iftikhar , that he is the symbol of justice what he has done for our country , look at raymond davis case why didnt supreme court took notice of it , or why he is silent over the rising inflation or why he is sitting like statue while government is devolving HEC. all are hopeless people , and unfortunately fanatic people who always intentionally or unintentionally become part of conspiracy in name of religion and Islam , politics on emotional attachment to faith ...dnt you remember all the channels and people of pakistan were crying over the silence of lal masjid issue ,and when mushraf took action every one and media took a U turn , have you not seen the violence and coercion measures of lal masjid people .. unfortunately in the name of religion and Islam people get blind ,dnt use their rationale and reasoning which Islam put enormous emphasis ... PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN SOMETHING FOR HEC FORGER ABOUT MUSHARAF , HE WILL STAND INHSHALLAH AND WILL COME TO POWER MUSHARAF ZINDABAD PAKISTAN PAYINDABAD

chosen-won | 13 years ago | Reply Afaq@ not all pakistanis are waiting for trial , absolutely wrong what ever he has done was right and great for pakistan. he is as honest and man of character look at HEC what a great achievement of his regime now this government is devolving to hideout fake degrees. tell me who else in the history of pakistan had done such a remarkable job like HEC .... poor, middle and lower middle class had really comfortable life now every one is hopeless and even more hopeless not because of politician but because of civil society members like you who oppose such leader , tell me who else in your opinion is going to lead the country ... people shouted for chaudry iftikhar , that he is the symbol of justice what he has done for our country , look at raymond davis case why didnt supreme court took notice of it , or why he is silent over the rising inflation or why he is sitting like statue while government is devolving HEC. all are hopeless people , and unfortunately fanatic people who always intentionally or unintentionally become part of conspiracy in name of religion and Islam , politics on emotional attachment to faith ...dnt you remember all the channels and people of pakistan were crying over the silence of lal masjid issue ,and when mushraf took action every one and media took a U turn , have you not seen the violence and coercion measures of lal masjid people .. unfortunately in the name of religion and Islam people get blind ,dnt use their rationale and reasoning which Islam put enormous emphasis ... PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN SOMETHING FOR HEC FORGER ABOUT MUSHARAF , HE WILL STAND INHSHALLAH AND WILL COME TO POWER MUSHARAF ZINDABAD PAKISTAN PAYINDABAD

RR | 13 years ago | Reply One more thing i would like to say. The ppl who say that his govt. did not invest in Electricity. Why not the political parties allowed him to make the KalaBaag Dam. In any case that Dam was in favour of Pakistan because it was going to built in Pakistan ..

RR | 13 years ago | Reply Musharraf trial on what ? What about the trial of Nawaz and others ? Just google nawaz attack on SC How funny to hear Musharraf trial. Where where they when around a year he stayyed in Pakistan.... I dont know why ppl say that what is the benefit of Cell phone which in his ERA ppl got alot ..The Channels are we watching is just the Thanks of Musharraf who invested on Communication industry...

salim | 13 years ago | Reply @Sultan Ahmed: If and when Interpol steps in there will have to be a proper hearing (as in the case of Julian Asange of Wikileaks) and solid evidence will have to be provided of which there is none!!

Aamer | 13 years ago | Reply @Ashraf "Because of his efforts and links Pakistani's were able to get jobs abroad" This lines tells a lot about the level of maturity achieved, so you mean to say no one from Pakistan ever got jobs abroad? I'll tell you what happened abroad because of him "pakistani's dont get a job because everyone thinks they are terrorists, thanks to your macho man" Plus, you don't need links and threats to get jobs abroad, it only takes you talent and merit. Abroad doesn't mean Pakistan

Amer | 13 years ago | Reply Mushy is nothing more then a criminal on the run now. What a pathetic existance!! LOL hehehehehehehehehehe

Afaq | 13 years ago | Reply All Pakistanis are waiting for Musharaf's trail. Forget Election and repay what you did.

Sultan Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply Ground realty is that he was formally exiled there and residing there since years. The question regarding the warrant was raised with British prime minister but he refused by saying that there was no extradition treaty between United kingdom and Pakistan. Now the question before us is that what will do Interpol in such circumstances. In case answer is in negative,then why time and money being wasted.

adnan | 13 years ago | Reply very well said ashraf

amir-personality@hotmail.com | 13 years ago | Reply @ Asraf You forgot the grass root level democracy imposed by sacking CJ, by killing innocents at Laal Masjid. That leads to suicide bombing. The introduction of lowering the moral values , handing over Aafia and other innocent pakistanis to guntanamo bay. By introducing fake economy based on aid , creating economic disparity and increasing the social gap among his favourites elite and poors And as he see his era of grass root level politics finishing , he gifted us with Zirdari with the advent of NRO ! I

Imtiaz Ali | 13 years ago | Reply @Asraf: Well said, But no matter what he did there are people who will not see the truth. So therefore for people like that Zardari and Nawaz are very well deserved.

salim | 13 years ago | Reply @Asraf: Well said, Sir!

Asraf | 13 years ago | Reply @Ahmed It was Musharaf's crime to build the country by improving economy and rising the status of the country and the people living in it in the entire world. He generated massive employment, improved reserves and miantained debt at $38 billion, which now has reached to $55 billion just in 3 years. Because of his efforts and links Pakistanis were able to get jobs outside, which is the only source of income for the country currently now (again thanks to Musharraf). He empowered the people of Pakistan through grass root level democracy. We are again back to Gora rule throug DC, Commissioner and Patwari culture, which suits to our present rulers, who in deed are the real dictators; be it PPP or PMLN. Musharraf maintained the food prices at affordable levels. Thanks to PMLN and PPP that the people are dying of hunger, who are left with no choice but to commit suecides. Musharraf was, is and will remain our hero. PPP and PMLN are so afraid of Musharraf's popularity so they are using all tactis to stop him from coming and taking part in politics. He will for sure come and wipe out the mafias.

Faraz | 13 years ago | Reply The UK is just making excuses, why would they want to protect him?

salim | 13 years ago | Reply The charges against him are frivolous.

Cautious | 13 years ago | Reply Maybe your govt doesn't read the papers. The PM of the UK just visited Pakistan - during that visit he said the Pakistan and the UK don't have an extradition treaty. Why not negotiate an extradition treaty with the UK - or maybe reporters in Pakistan can investigate why Pakistan is reluctant to enter into an extradition treaty?

Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply AoA Musharraf must be judged by court in Pakistan and all the alleged crimes must be reaching to a logical end. He throw the country, in his regime, in an irreversible damage.The term 'terrorism' was sparked in his ruling. I'm just losing my head. People do argue about economic reforms he made. Yes, agreed, he handed mobiles in hands and snatched 'Roti', gave cars to people (who actually didn't have worth to buy) and run them out of electricity. He did not care only for himself but also cared about his accompanies like Shaukat Aziz and chaned P.M. like toys. The circumstances we are facing todays in Pakistan have a big credit to Musharaf and then Asif Ali Zerdari.

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