Bilawal Bhutto calls verdict in Benazir case 'disappointing and unacceptable'

E-Paper | June 14, 2026

Following the verdict in the Benazir Bhutto murder case, the late prime minister's children expressed their displeasure with the judgement on Twitter.

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the "decision is disappointing and unacceptable", adding that the party would explore legal options.

Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, the youngest of the siblings, said that "they were still awaiting justice".

In another tweet, she said that there would be no justice until "Pervez Musharraf answers for his crimes".

Sharing her sister's sentiments, Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari also expressed displeasure with the verdict, saying "police men arrested but actual terrorists acquitted #Shame".

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi announced the verdict on Thursday, acquitting five Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) suspects and announcing 17-year imprisonment for two police officials.

The ATC also declared retired Gen Pervez Musharraf an absconder in the case.

Benazir was killed in a gun-and-bomb attack outside Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on Dec 27, 2007 when Musharraf was president.

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Pakistan

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Simba

Aug 31, 2017 05:33pm

The country's most influential leader and a charismatic politician is assassinated. The case drags for 10 years only to acquit all the main suspects, frames few policemen for negligence, and the military general who was head of state is absconding (apparently on medical vacation in London) and has no intentions of returning. What is the solace for her family and millions of party workers? Is this justice?

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Taimoor khan

Aug 31, 2017 05:40pm

Childern of BB may not want to know the real truth.

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Harmony-1©

Aug 31, 2017 05:49pm

Your PPP government should have dealt with the case in 5 years when you had all the power. Why moan now? Its very fishy!

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Ashley Caldeira

Aug 31, 2017 05:49pm

Give Justice to the People of Karachi for Dec 27,2007... ATC should take this day into account with Political Parties.

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Fareed N

Aug 31, 2017 06:14pm

The question is, two police officials did what they did but on whose behalf?

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Muhammad

Aug 31, 2017 06:45pm

Let's see how AZ responds to the verdict .

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Hafeez

Aug 31, 2017 06:46pm

Strange decision... who killed Benazir after all ... the police officers??? or Musharraf.. or Taliban question remains...

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M Khalid Rahman

Aug 31, 2017 07:08pm

What did the PPP government did to catch and sentence the culprits when it was in power??? This is all a matter of selfishness.

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Amir Shah

Aug 31, 2017 07:16pm

Why didn't Zardari's government investigated this case while they were in power!! Is it because Mr Zardari had some thing to hide considering he was the only one who benefitted the most from Benazir's death.

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Sameer

Aug 31, 2017 07:26pm

A new NRO is in effect. One that will bring PPP and its corrupt ways back to power.

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Ahsan gul

Aug 31, 2017 07:34pm

Could Asif Zardari shed some light on this issue?

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excalibur

Aug 31, 2017 07:39pm

The Zardari family is directly responsible for not investigating the case while in power for 5 years. Blaming Musharraf is comical when Zardari remains the main beneficiary

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Parvez

Aug 31, 2017 07:55pm

When all are guilty then none are guilty.......and so the truth will NEVER come ou.

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Falcon1

Aug 31, 2017 08:06pm

You wouldn't be so 'disappointed' Bilawal, if you engage in some introspection and look for answer from those close to you.

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Syed Ahmed, Canada

Aug 31, 2017 09:03pm

@Taimoor khan: The murder cannot be hidden, it speaks. All the children of Benazir know the truth but are doing politics.

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Sayeed Alatf Hussein

Aug 31, 2017 09:11pm

Is not ironic that their father was the president for 5 years and he did nothing. A Big why? At the time Musharraf was in the country. Also have any of you ever thought about our soldiers. this man has put his life on the line for the country how many other politicians have done that? All they do is to rob the country and then go and live in London.

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M.Saeed

Aug 31, 2017 09:37pm

For me the only beneficiary of the killing should be probed before any.

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Javed

Aug 31, 2017 09:43pm

Don't worry son, you can right all wrongs when your party comes into power.

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Faisal

Aug 31, 2017 09:48pm

What about mr zardari shouldn't he be investigated ?

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Lahori kid

Aug 31, 2017 11:21pm

Bilawal Bhutto calls verdict in Benazir case 'disappointing and unacceptable' For once, I agree with Bilawal, the whole country knows who was behind it.

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Bin Adam

Sep 01, 2017 01:12am

PPP was in total power for long 5 years having their own President, Prime Ministers, Cabinet members and legislature with father of Bilawal and of his sisters holding the highest position of the Country and Govt. Their father and the Party Govt extended the outgoing President Musharraf VVIP protocol. 5 years of total power was too long a time to prosecute Musharraf had you sincerely believed in your allegation against him. Then why all this political statements before next election?

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Munarmed ali uk

Sep 01, 2017 01:31am

Sad to say but be nazir will never get justice.

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Sep 01, 2017 01:34am

I agree with Ms. Bhutto's children. The case should be retried for sure.

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abdul

Sep 01, 2017 02:14am

@Taimoor khan, they do want to know the truth like every pakistani but unfortunately truth is not revealed.

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Mirza

Sep 01, 2017 02:43am

All three enlightened and grown-up children of BB know the facts and lost their mother. They all want justice, yet their enemies are still trying to implement their own family. Just like BB said they killed a Bhutto to get to another Bhutto. The world knows who hated Bhutto and who killed them starting with ZAB. What a shame the enemies are still conspiring against BB's family.

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alba

Sep 01, 2017 04:44am

For God's sake, Let her rest in peace.

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Asad

Sep 01, 2017 06:50am

Don't care! You are all corrput to the core!

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CH. K. A. Nye

Sep 01, 2017 07:01pm

@Javed... His party? Which party is that? The PPP? That's Daddy's party. The Bhutto brand name is fading away and none of the Bacchas are capable of taking a stand against Daddy.

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Saulat Haider

Sep 01, 2017 11:00pm

PPP stayed 5 years in power what they did in this regard.

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Khalid

Sep 03, 2017 02:02pm

Every time Bilawal makes a statement, it makes me wonder why does he need to be in politics?. He has never done a day's job in his life. He spent most of his time away from Pakistan and can't even speak Urdu properly. The best time to carry out and conclude the case was when his father was the President of Pakstan for 5 years. I am not sure what exactly Asif Zardari did about the murder of his wife. I still think Bhutto days are over. Go back to Dubai and London and spend the money your father made from kickbaks.

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