Benazir assassination: Another contempt notice for FIA chief

The notice was sent to the DG FIA for not appearing in the court and not presenting Musharraf's arrest warrant.

The anti-terrorism court adjudicating the trial of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination issued contempt of court notices against the head of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday for changing the investigating officer in case.

Special ATC Judge Rana Nisar Ahmed directed FIA Director General Malik Iqbal to appear in court on May 30 to defend his decision to replace Khalid Rasool, the investigating officer, with Shujah Naveed. Iqbal reportedly reappointed Rasool on the case after being informed of the court notice by FIA Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Ali. Judge Ahmed said only Rasool was authorised under the law to submit a response to the court about the arrest warrants issued to former president Pervez Musharraf, accused of being negligent in providing security to Bhutto.

Naveed told the court that Rasool had been transferred to investigate the scandal involving embezzlement of Hajj funds. Prosecutors used Musharraf’s television appearances to bolster their accusation that he was ignoring the court’s summons.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2011.