SHC summons Murtaza Bhutto murder accused

Two-judge bench takes up appeal against acquittal in the case

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the accused to ensure their presence at the next hearing of a plea against acquittal in the Mir Murtaza Bhutto murder case.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Nimatullah Phulpoto, took up the appeals challenging the acquittal of the accused in the case on Tuesday. Among those present were former IG Sindh Shoaib Saddal and Rai Tahir. Zulfiqar Bhutto Jr, son of Mir Murtaza Bhutto, appeared before the bench.

The parties prayed the court defer the appeals until after the upcoming general election. Granting the plea, the bench adjourned the hearing for four weeks, with an order to ensure the attendance of all the accused at the next hearing.

Read: SHC summons former DIG, others in Murtaza Bhutto murder case

Retired police officers Shahid Hayat, Agha Jameel, Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani, Muslim Shah, and some other accused have passed away since the murder of Mir Murtaza Bhutto. Ghulam Mustafa, Ahmed Khan, Raja Hameed, Gulzar Khan, Ghulam Shabbir, Zafar Iqbal, and Faisal Hameed are also among the accused. Murtaza Bhutto's employee, Noor Muhammad Goga, filed an appeal against the acquittal of the accused in 2010.

The appeal contends that on September 20, 1996, Murtaza Bhutto and his associates were shot near their residence. Following the incident, two cases were filed by the government and Murtaza Bhutto's employee, Noor Muhammad. In Dec 2009, a lower court acquitted 20 police officers.

While speaking to the media after the hearing, Zulfikar Bhutto Jr said, "The purpose of my presence here today is to seek justice. I believe that those named in this case are responsible for this incident. However, those involved were rewarded and promoted."

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2024.