Since 2008, five judges have been changed in ATC and till now over 26 witnesses have recorded their statements out of total 52. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Thursday asked the Punjab police to convince Sub Inspector (SI) Ashfaq Ahmed to record his statement before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC). Ahmed is a key witness in Benazir Bhutto murder case and is presently posted in Criminal Investigation Cell (CID), Lahore.
Earlier, on March 3, ATC had summoned Ahmed to record his statement, however FIA officials informed the court that Ahmed had received life threats from TTP. According to FIA officials, Ahmed along with two other prosecution witnesses had received life threats. The official said on February, 26, a deputy chief of TTP had threatened three prosecution witnesses including Ahmed to kill them and their family members they tried to record their statement.
The two witnesses however went ahead and recorded their statements last week, however Ahmed was still reluctant.
Ahmed was SI posted at Liquat Bagh and he had recorded the statements of prime accused including Rafaqat Hussain and Hasnain Gul who have been detained in Adiala Jail since 2008.
FIA formally asked inspector general (IG) of Punjab to convince the SI to record his statement. FIA official told The Express Tribune that after Ahmed’s refusal FIA was asked to write a letter to IG Punjab requesting him to convince Ahmed to record his statement. In the letter, FIA asked IG that the statement of prosecution witnesses is essential and he must appear before the court after necessary security is provided to him.
The official hoped that on next date of hearing, Ahmed will be able to record his statement. “I hope IG Punjab would take it seriously and convinces him for recording the statement,” said an FIA official.
On the other hand, sources said that Counter Terrorism-Wing of FIA is investigating the caller who threatened the prosecution witnesses, and a high level meeting to discuss this was held last week. An official close to the investigation said that after the threats, FIA is investigating this matter from every angle. “The case is going to towards its conclusion,” he added.
On February 19 this year, Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench had directed (ATC) to start hearing of this case on daily basis in response to an application filed by FIA which sought speedy completion of this case which is pending since the six years.
Since 2008, five judges have been changed in ATC and till now over 26 witnesses have recorded their statements out of total 52.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2013.
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