ISLAMABAD: Another key witness in Benazir murder case retracted his earlier statement during cross examination before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).

Earlier, witnesses like former director general National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) retired Brigadier Javed Iqbal Cheema and SSP Yasin Farooq had disowned the statements attributed to them by the prosecution. 

ATC Judge Rai Mohammad Ayub Marth commenced hearing in the Benazir murder case in Adiala Jail when a prosecution witness, retired SSP Maj Imtiaz – a key security official of Ms Bhutto – withdrew his earlier statement.

Earlier, in a statement attributed to Maj Imtiaz it was claimed that Benazir Bhutto was killed due to inadequate security arrangements at Liaqat Bagh where former chairperson of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had delivered his last speech. Major Imtiaz also alleged that the then city police officer Syed Saud Aziz and other high ups were not on duty when the attackers targeted Benazir.

However, Imtiaz told the ATC on Monday that foolproof security cover was provided to Ms Bhutto outside Liaquat Bagh on December 27, 2007 the day she was killed in a gun-and-bomb attack afte a public meeting.

He said that all the police officers including the then CPO Aziz were also present on the scene to provide security to Benazir Bhutto.

He added, “Had Benazir not appeared from sunroof of the vehicle, she might not have been killed,” he said.

After the cross-examining, the ATC special Judge Rai Mohammad Ayub Marth adjourned further proceedings till July 8, 2015.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play