11 July 2004	Sunday	22 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, July 10: Ex-senator Asif Ali Zardari, the under-trial spouse of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, on Saturday said that the military operation in Wana tribal agency of South Waziristan would do nothing but promote militancy further.

Talking to newsmen after being produced before a court within the Central Prison for the hearing of Mir Murtuza Bhutto murder case, he said he failed to understand what the government was trying to achieve through the operation against loyal tribesmen.

Regarding the process of election for a new prime minister, he said PPP would draw the attention of the election commission to the use of government resources for Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz's poll campaign.

About taking PPP-Patriot legislators back into the party, he said it was a unanimous decision taken by PPP cadre not to accept turncoats willing to return.

HEARING PUT OFF: District and Session Judge (East) Zafar Ahmed Khan Sherwani on Saturday adjourned hearing of Mir Murtuza Bhutto murder case against Asif Ali Zardari, spouse of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, and others for non-appearance of two co-accused.

Defence counsel told the court that the co-accused, Raja Hameed, had sustained injuries in a shooting incident on Saturday whereas the other one, Zafar Iqbal, was suffering from jaundice and unable to appear in the court.

Asif Zardari was produced before the court amid tight security. Some other accused in the case were also present. Masood Sharif, Shoaib Suddle and Rai Tahir have already been exempted by the court from producing themselves in the court.

The judge, conducting the trial in the Central Prison Karachi, fixed August 21 as next date of hearing.

Murtaza Bhutto was killed along with six other people, including his close aide Ashiq Jatoi, in September 1996 near his residence at Clifton in a shootout.

Those nominated in the FIR include Asif Zardari, Shoaib Suddle, Wajid Durrani, Masood Sharif, Shahid Hayat, Rai Mohammed Tahir, Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani and Agha Mohammed Jameel.

Ilyas Khan is special prosecutor whereas Khawaja Naveed Ahmed, Chuadhry Iftekhar, Ashraf Kazi and other counsels are representing the defence side. - PPI