‘Gen Musharraf made menacing calls to BB’

Siegel says Benazir told him former president would be responsible if anything happened to her

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD:

Days before she travelled to Pakistan, slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto received threatening phone calls from the then president Pervez Musharraf, warning her of threats to her life should she choose to return before the 2007 elections, American journalist Mark Siegel said in his testimony on Thursday.

Siegel recorded his statement before Justice Rai Muhammad Ayub of the special anti-terrorism court of Rawalpindi in the Benazir murder case via video link from the Pakistan Embassy in Washington on Thursday. Previously, Siegel had refused to come to Pakistan to testify before the court.

Siegel testified that Benazir had visited the US on September 25, 2007, along with her husband Asif Ali Zardari. Being their lobbyist and author of a book on Benazir, he accompanied the couple to a joint meeting with US Senator Tom Lantos, who was chairman of the US House Committee on International Relations. While waiting for the senator in his office, Benazir got a phone call. She told Siegel that it was from Musharraf, upon which the journalist sought private chambers for Benazir from their host.

Read: Benazir Bhutto murder case: Warrants for driver, Mohmand PA issued

Benazir returned after six to seven minutes looking perturbed. Siegel asked her what had happened but she only said that she would explain it later. In the meantime, the senator arrived and they had a meeting for about 15 to 20 minutes, discussing many issues including her return to Pakistan and the upcoming general elections in Pakistan. Benazir, according to him, continued to look worried during the meeting.

After the meeting, Benazir led him by the hand and told him how Musharraf was speaking harshly, in an angry and menacing tone.

On September 26, Benazir left for Dubai where Siegel had another meeting with her wherein she told him that she had written to Musharraf, raising her security concerns and expressing determination to return to her country on October 19.

Siegel recalled that he had phoned Benazir to enquire about her health following the Oct 18 attack on her convoy. The former premier then sent him an email on October 26 wherein she said that should something happen to her, Musharraf should be held responsible.

Upon receiving this email, Siegel said he immediately contacted Benazir and asked why she had written that email. She explained that her life was in danger and asked him to disclose the email to the world should something happen to her.

The journalist forwarded the email to a senior CNN correspondent who immediately called him about it. Siegel told him that he was now entrusting the CNN correspondent to make it public should anything happen to Benazir.

Siegel’s last conversation with Benazir was when she called him to wish him a happy birthday. According to him, she sounded happy with her election campaign in Pakistan.

SHO records statement

SHO Kashif Riaz, a key witness in the case, recorded his testimony before the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court on Thursday.

Riaz, who was an inspector at the City Police station and the first investigation officer to probe the December 27, 2007, attack, said that when Benazir was heading towards Liaquat Bagh for the rally, she stood up through the sunroof to wave to supporters. The former premier was advised that such a move was a security hazard and that she should not repeat it on the return journey. However, Benazir ignored the advice and stood up through the sunroof to wave to party workers on their way back. It was then that gunshots were heard, followed by a blast.

Read: Benazir’s assassination: All but one accused have met their fate, says Zardari

He added that a second vehicle with other PPP leaders was initially due to follow her car. But by the time her convoy departed, that car had already left the venue. Further, Benazir’s security in-charge SP Ashfaq Anwar’s vehicle was supposed to accompany Bhutto’s car, but Riaz said he did not see the officer leave the premises.

The case was later adjourned till October 5.


Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2015.