SHC summons former DIG, others in Murtaza Bhutto murder case

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday issued summons for former DIG Karachi Shoaib Suddle and others in response to an appeal challenging the acquittal of police officers accused of killing Mir Murtaza Bhutto, brother of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

On September 20, 1996, Mir Murtaza Bhutto and his associates were shot near his house in Karachi.

Following the incident, two first information reports (FIRs) were lodged by the government and Murtaza Bhutto's employee Noor Muhammad Goga.

In December 2009, a subordinate court acquitted 20 police officers in the case. Murtaza’s employee Goga then filed an appeal against the accused's acquittal in 2010.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulphoto, presided over the hearing of the appeal against the high-profile murder case's acquittal today. Former police officer Wajid Durrani, brought to the court in a wheelchair, and accused ex-policemen Gulzar Khan, Ahmed Khan, and others also appeared before the court.

Also read: Prosecution yet to compile Murtaza’s murder case

During the proceedings, the defence argued that Shoaib Suddle is currently out of the country and requested time for his appearance. The lawyer also highlighted that some of the accused, including former police chief Shahid Hayat, Shabbir Ahmed Qaim Khani, and Muslim Shah, have passed away. The court directed the verification of deceased accused and ordered the submission of a report in this connection.

After confirming the demise of accused individuals, the court summoned SSP East in a personal capacity, emphasising that due to the case's age, all accused should appear with their lawyers.

The appeal is set to be heard regularly at the next hearing, scheduled for January 23.

The list of accused individuals includes Zulfiqar Ahmed, Agha Jameel, Ghulam Mustafa, Ahmed Khan, Raja Hameed, Gulzar Khan, Ghulam Shabbir, Zafar Iqbal, and Faisal Hameed.

The court adjourned the hearing until January 23.