A file photo of former president Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
RAWALPINDI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) formally arrested former president Pervez Musharraf in relation to the Benazir Bhutto murder case on Thursday, reported Express News.
FIA's joint investigation team recorded Musharraf’s statement at his farmhouse in Chak Shahzad, which is currently serving as a sub-jail for the ex-president in the judges arrest case.
In his statement, Musharraf denied involvement in the Bhutto murder case and said that he was being falsely implicated.
The FIA held an emergency meeting in which it unanimously decided that his statement was not satisfactory and ordered his arrest.
The ex-president will appear in an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi tomorrow.
Earlier during the day, the ATC issued orders for Musharraf's arrest in the case and granted permission to the FIA to investigate him.
On April 17, the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench had granted Musharraf pre-arrest interim bail in the murder case till April 24 against two surety bonds of Rs 5 million each.
Musharraf is accused of conspiracy to murder Bhutto, who died in a gun and suicide attack in December 2007. It is one of three cases he is fighting in the courts since returning home last month after four years in self-imposed exile.
His arrest and disqualification from contesting elections on May 11 have been a humiliating blow for the former ruler of nuclear-armed Pakistan, previously a key ally of US president George W Bush in the war on terror.
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@shahid: By that token, anyone expressing anger at the government and politicians in Pakistan should leave Pakistan? Right?
@hassan: @Immune System: Sorry Sir, If your present President does not command immunity then how can an Ex president does??
Musharraf is sincere,bold and trust worthy person.He came here with a view to serve better way.but adliya kept awahy him from election.it is not fair for this nation
ET - Please don;t be biased in posting my replies.
@ Shamy - Your information on Laal Masjid is false and your comments on revenge are evil. I feel sorry for you and alike.
@Zulfiqar - Protest doesn't mean burning tyre, beating people or looting shops, there are other better ways to protest and people are protesting. You need an "eye" to see it.
@Raj - USA - It's not Facebook which mislead him, it's the reality of this nation which mislead not only him but everyone who is still optimistic about this country.
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks - How do we "supporters" convince people like you that so-called double standards on "democracy", "justice", "freedom" and "change" are being used here to make Musharraf an escape goat for each and every sin this nation has done in the past. The whole nation should be hanged because everyone is a partner in this crime if he is found guilty of anything.
I would like to record my utter disappointment on how media, judiciary, politicians and even the majority public is acting so biased against him. He never disgraced our country and our nation's majority chose to disgrace him.
My prayers goes to him. May Allah keep him safe - Ameen!
If we want to stop the way of Martial Laws, we have to create an example out of Musharaf. That is the only way forward for Pakistan.
Musharaf committed treason not once but twice. I don't see any other way he should be treated. Article 6 is his perfect punishment.
I think he should also be charged for the 2007/2008 world recession.
At last they found the real person behind BB's and many other murders, should put him behind bars for life.
Musharaf was on record on saying to Benazir that "your safety in Pakistan is dependent on your terms with me" . This is on record. Also he did not want to work with her but was being made to do that by the poers that be. She came to Pakistan drew huge crowds and then openly supported the Chief Justice who was under house arrest by the orders of Musharaf. As for the Scotland yard and UN investigation into her murder they made it clear in their reports that the people they needed to interview were beyond their jurisdiction. They were only allowed to interview mid level police officers like the SHO of a thana.. The orders for hosing down the evidence through fire brigade immediately after the assasination came from way up from the top. There is definitely complicity from people within her own party also as it took a huge conspiracy which would involve agenices and parties working togather but Musharaf himself is a suspect too. The motive is there. Aboslute Power. She gets assasinated and PPP gets hijacked by a group who was not close to her and Musharaf gets the guard of honour all the way to London.
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks:
Your information is all based on the media which tells all sorts of things to increase their rating. Elected govt does not mean they should do whatever they want coz they are elected. Nawaz Shareef attacked the parliament, sacked three generals in a short period of time, he sacked SC judges, he creates division in the army, he was about to pass a resolution to be Amir ul Momineen., he freezed the foreign accounts of the Pakistanis and gave their money quite later but in rupees and take their foreign money outside. The economy was disaster and we did not have money for imports. All these conditions make army takeover by Musharraf later. If the politicians were working properly why would army takeovers. I hold responsible to prosecute the politicians instead of generals for army take over.
@Shamy:
Those are not innocent kids. They were terrorist and dies fighting with the army. Nobody should have any sympathy with the lal masjid terrorists or other terrorists. They were given ample time to surrender but they determined to die and they die fighting so Musharraf is not to be blamed but the terrorists themselves.
@Shamy: Really? You saw their bodies yourself didn't you? In the middle of a cosmopolitan city in pakistan, their breeding terrorism and you call them innocent?!? Besides biased media coverage in the last few years there is absolutely no evidence to prove any child or woman except the maulvi's mother was hurt. Maybe you should refurbish your memory, and you are so media dependant, go check footage from the time of the incident to refresh and correct your perspective. All people ever have to blame him for are BB, Lal Masjid and the lawyers. Look around your city and look at the menace it is in, then compare it to how things were in his time. BB, Lal Masjid and the Lawyers shall seem minute and inconsequential issues in front of that. Innocent kids it seems. Stop raging against terrorism and Pakistan's plight if you choose to sympathize with the happenings at Lal Masjid.
All this was not One Man Show. People must know about all characters who were involved in the murder of BB.
@Zulfiqar:
There have been protests in FATA, Hunza, Chitral, Karachi, Peshawar etc. If the media does not cover it then it does not mean there were no protests. I think there will be a big protest on May 1, 13 in Islamabad. If you go to Musharraf's website then you know what the people who love him are doing.
@Rizwan Ali: This guy should ne tried likr any citizen so according mush supporters just cause one is rich and famous he should be given a pass, that is not rule of law.
Courts are the deciders of justice in all civilized countries. He is responsible for a lot more than the murder bb.
Had the family of the deceased ex-PM not hindered the autopsy of cadaver taking place, it could have helped the expensively hired investigating teams to proceed further in their work. Determining the origin of thus extracted (if any) bullets would have stopped the curtain being drawn on the investigation.
Had the family of the deceased ex-PM not denied the autopsi her cadaver to take place for determining the origin of bullet extracted if any, it would have been a tremendous help for those expensively hired investigation teams.
"It's a sad thing not to have friends, but it is even sadder not to have enemies." -Ernesto "Che" Guevara
@Immune System: Musharraf enjoys immunity under Article 243!
It would be better for Musharraf to seek protection under Article 9 2 11 Nau Do Gyarah
All these government officers who otherwise won't and can't catch criminals are trying to do point scoring by arresting Musharraf. Why? It is clear that the next election to yield to an anti-Musharraf party, thus having arrested a former chief of Army and former President does not look bad on your credentials. Can these Islamabad based officials arrest Talibans and Al-Qaeda sympathizers?
Benazir had a bullet proof car. Everyone in the car was fine, only Benazir standing outside of the roof was injured.
How is this Musharraf's fault? It's like standing in the middle of the motorway and complaining when a car hits you.
She knew she was a target after the episode in Karachi on her arrival.
When you start mingling in crowds no security can save you from a determined bomber.
This is how we disgrace one of the best rulers of our nation. Good Job Pakistan! And shame on the Pakistan Army & Gen. Kayani for letting the former COAS get disgraced like this. Not only is this an insult to Pakistan but also the army.
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: If you want to abuse USA and throw allegations against USA Why you are in USA ? Don't cut the hands which feeds you
Musharraf has already declined the offer to go to Dubai. Musharraf is the best leader Pakistan ever had. All ill minded media personalities will fail in their malicious wishes against Musharraf. Allah is with Musharraf, who is the savior of Pakistan.
The Scotland Yard Report and Interpol Report should be made public only then the people of Pakistan will know the reality. I am 101% sure that Musharraf is nowhere in picture.
Allah is th ultimate judge and Musharraf is his follower.
@Babablacksheep: And what does the commissions report say sir? The innocent kids were not innocents or kids?
Rex Minor
He is not involved in this case
@Faraz:
How can the man who ordered the house arrest of the National hero can be regarded a National horo?
Rex Minor
wow, this is ridiculus. how can anyone guarantee any individual's 100% safety, especially if that person decides to all of a sudden bring her head out from inside the bullet-proff car, which was provided to her even though she did not occupy an govt office at the time.
@Shamy: plz read the Lal masjid commission report before to repeat this nonsense claim
How could I convince the supporters of Musharraf that upholding the Constitution of Pakistan is in the best interest of everyone, majority and minorities. Every one knows that he subverted the constitution by taking over an elected government at the time in 1999, it is time that these Generals are accountable and pay the price for their ambitions. If they have any political ambitions then they should wait for 2years and run for any office their heart desire. Half of Pakistan's life has been under military rule and let us not forget that these military rulers are encouraged and abetted even hanging a sitting elected prime minister by foreign forces namely the US and GB. I myself living in a democratic society and will take even half baked democratic setup any day than military dictatorship.
The only thing that has not been thrown at Musharraf yet is the kitchen sink.
@freedom seeker: Speak out against the dismissal of judges first. Revenge for the right reasons is allowed.
@Riaz Khan: ask those innocent kids who died in Lal Masjid if he is a hero or not.
@Khan: Musharraf sow good for the country but he is reaping bad in the form of the courts.
@pervaiz memon:
Do you think the vengeful court would give an honest verdict. The courts have already convicted in their mind, now they will find ways to twist the facts to convicts Musharraf. The judges in their power have forgot that there is a higher judge they have to face one day.
@Mohaisin Sharif:
Also on daily basis as if the court have no other cases to look after.
@Faraz: dear faraz, do not commit contempt of court. your point is true.please have respect of courts. you will see that MUSHARAFJI will not be harmed.
Musharraf enjoys immunity under Article 243!
My God, What great support the General commands. Most commentators think that he is a national hero. What ever I have read in the news papers of Pakistan in last so many years right from his usurping power, arresting the prime minister of a 2/3 majority democratically government and putting him in jail,losing the face of the nation in Kargil war, refusing to take back the dead bodies of hundreds of soldiers, protecting OBL, role in murder of Benezir. And many many more acts of his.Of all these news items i do not know which one makes him a national hero.
Justice should be served... No one is above the law!
All pro Musharaf key board warriors on this forum should take to the streets if they are so sad …..You guyz got him here …. he was deluded into thinking that the approx 1 million likes on FB will translate into some sort of “ACTUAL” support !!
If Musharraf is to be tried for BB's murder, relatives of others who lost their lives in the same bomb blast will also come forward to sue. Musharraf may also ask to examine BB's Will throughly.
@Shah (Berlin): in the Benazir Bhutto murder case
Musharraf should sue Facebook for misleading him and landing him in trouble.
I am sure the nation will forgive Musharraf of all his sins if he apologizes on live TV broadcast.
FFS yar hes an army SSG ... @physical remand!!! are you kidding me? haah
High time for Army to intervene and fix this issue once and for all.
Why no one in media is talking about Khalid Shahenshah, Rahman Dakait, Zulfiqar Mirza etc who have ties with the the President. Also what was Musharraf's motive for killing BB?
Nobody is above the law. The former military dictators are being brought to justice which is a very good development. Instead of endorsing their illegal rule the judges are now issuing their arrest warrant. I hope Musharraf will pay, and he must pay heavily for all the crimes he has done during his ten year long illegal rule.
Pakistani judiciary has gone mad. It clearly shows their bias against the General. There is no motive for Musharraf to get BB eliminated...he only had to gain, had she lived and become PM. There are others who had a motive and took advantage.
Pervez Musharraf is not a bhomiputra "son of the soil", as such he must be held accountable for all the ills this country is suffering from.
Congratulations to Pakistan judiciary who is at its best. The law is certainly taking its coarse and noose is tightening every passing day.
Biased and blind judiciary. They are committed to keep Mr. Musharraf in captivity to take revenge from him.
Unless a given law is put in practice, its short-comings, or strengths for that matter, can not be realized or appreciated. If the law (which is usually blind) is harming an individual or group of people, the Law must be reviewed with introduction of "exceptions", which may protect individuals in public offices taking critical decisions in the best interest of the people given the circumstances under which those unusual decisions were taken. Therefore, the roots of democratic norms are required to be strengthened but by allowing only learned people to take those representative seats. The Counceller Level candidates must not be allowed to enter into the august house.
I think it is good chance to Musharaf to get clean chit from court in this case and according to Mush their is no evidence against . Other wise now their no chance for escape out .
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.". This was stated by the historian and moralist, known as Lord Acton (1834-1902), expressed himselve in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887. President Musharaf or CJP Chaudhry or any other holder of Public Office does represent what had been stated over a 125 years ago. Indeed, history continue to repeat itself over and over again!
Poor Musharraf..being made to answer why Benazir took her head out of the bomb proof Land Cruiser! Shouldnt people inside that car be answering that?
You reap what you sow. I'm so glad.
There should be Court for courts. Lawers are one sided can show the what is happening with Musharraf.
If court wants fair trial then In Murder case not only Musharraf should be nominated, what about PMLQ government and PPP govt. Husband of Benazir Shaheed was president of country, Best friend was interior minister, why they couldn't find the murderer? Big players are just practicing on Musharraf as punching bag with all cases opened at once without any clear evidence, only doubts!
I am really sorry to hear about the court decision aganist mushraf here.Think what we are going to do with our natioanl hereo.The world respect his power of knowledge espacially the world most develop countries invite him for a lecture classes. He is our national hereo we can't bear to see him any truble.I request all the youth of pakistan to support mushraf if you want to see your country developed and your upcoming youth educated.
I again request all the youth of pakistan to support mushraf.
He is one of the true leader of pakistan.
Mushraf zindaba and Pakistan Paindabad
Best regards ejaz ali
For all the Musharraf Supporters, Why I cant see any protest against the oppression of your great hero?
This is how we treat our hero's! Sad & very pathetic.
Pointless to investigate the General in BB murder case,What about the rest of thousands of civilians who lost their lives during his and later under the democratic government.Can we expect ATC to issue arrest orders for the leaders of PPP???
In the First Information Report(FIR) former President Musharraf name was included in Benazir Murder Case, then why a statesman of international standing is being treated like die hard terrorist. On the other hand a large number of criminal elements affiliated with banned organisations have been released by courts for lack of evidence. What a mockery of rule of law!
Musharaf is a strong man. we support you sir!!
Under which law....huh...Courts these days can do wht they want to...!!!!
May Allah Protect the Great Musharraf. Ameen!!!