Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) rejected verdict in Benazir Bhutto murder case, saying justice cannot be served until abettors involved are punished…… By.Asghar Ali Mubarak
Islamabad; The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders rejected an anti-terrorism court’s verdict in Benazir Bhutto murder case, saying justice cannot be served until all abettors involved are punished. The ATC Rawalpindi sentenced two senior police officers to 17 years in prison as per Sections 119 and 201 of the Pakistan Penal Code but acquitted five others who were accused of assassinating the former prime minister.Former president Gen (retd) Pervaiz Musharraf was declared a proclaimed offender as he failed to appear before the court.Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders rejected on Thursday an anti-terrorism court’s verdict in Benazir Bhutto murder case, saying justice cannot be served until all abettors involved are punished.Earlier in the day, ATC Rawalpindi sentenced two senior police officers to 17 years in prison as per Sections 119 and 201 of the Pakistan Penal Code but acquitted five others who were accused of assassinating the former prime minister. Former president Gen (retd) Pervaiz Musharraf was declared a proclaimed offender as he failed to appear before the court.The five accused acquitted, two police officers sentenced to 17 years in prison“SMBB case decision is disappointing & unacceptable,” chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted minutes after the decision was announced in Adiyala Jail. “Release of terrorists not only unjust but also dangerous. PPP will explore legal options.”
“10 years later and we still await justice,” Benazir’s daughter Aseefa Bhutto Zardari said. “Abettors punished but those truly guilty of my mother’s murder roam free.”
She went on to add that “there will be no justice till Pervez Musharraf answers for his crimes.”
Similarly, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari called for the former military dictator’s arrest. “Musharraf ordered crime scene washed & doors locked trapping SMBB vehicle inside.”
Other PPP leaders also reacted on the court’s decision:
Benazir was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack in Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007. At least 23 PPP workers had also died in the incident.
During the course of the proceedings, seven challans of the case were presented and eight judges and three courts were changed.The anti-terrorism court (ATC) decision in Benazir Bhutto murder case does not fulfill the requirements of justice, said Secretary General of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Dr Muhammad Amjad .
A special anti-terrorism court sentenced two senior police officers to 17 years in prison in the Benazir Bhutto murder case, nine years, eight months and three days after the assassination.
While five others accused were acquitted, former president Gen (retd) Pervaiz Musharraf was declared a proclaimed offender as he failed to appear before the court.“The judgment is contrary to the challan of the case, the evidences and the statement,” Amjad said in a statement.
According to him, the effects of dread, fear or compromise seemed to be prevailing in the judgment.