Interior Minister Rehman Malik. — File Photo

KARACHI: It seems as though not much has been achieved in the Benazir Bhutto murder case as Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday not only admitted that planners of the murder are still at large, but also insisted that more time is required to collect further evidence.

Malik shared this and other details of the investigation of the former prime minister and Pakistan People’s Party chairperson's murder case while briefing the Sindh Assembly session.

He blamed Baitullah Mehsud, the Haqqani network and the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for planning the murder and said 27 terrorist groups helped in executing the plan.

Malik and the Chief of Joint Investigation Team Khalid Qureshi gave a detail presentation with the help of audio/video footage, showing the suspects involved in the case.

The Sindh lawmakers were told that the conspiracy was hatched in Fata and funds for the purpose also came from the same region.

The session was told that al Qaeda and other terrorist organisations had made Bhutto their target since a long time.

Malik said several suspects were arrested during the investigation and 13 were being prosecuted.

He accused former president Pervez Musharraf for not providing adequate security to the former prime minister

He said that the government had decided to bring back Musharraf to the country and for this purpose red warrants would be issued through the Interpol.

A legal expert said Interpol, an international police organisation, has the right to detain Musharraf and hand him over to Pakistan if it chooses to issue a warrant.

The interior minister further revealed that Khalid Shiekh Mohammad and his brother conspired to assassinate Ms Bhutto.

"The government is trying hard to reach the bottom of the case," he said, expressing hope that the culprits will be brought to justice soon.

Opinion

Editorial

Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.
Missing links
Updated 27 Apr, 2024

Missing links

As the past decades have shown, the country has not been made more secure by ‘disappearing’ people suspected of wrongdoing.
Freedom to report?
27 Apr, 2024

Freedom to report?

AN accountability court has barred former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife from criticising the establishment...
After Bismah
27 Apr, 2024

After Bismah

BISMAH Maroof’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends beyond the field. The 32-year old, Pakistan’s...