The former president of Pakistan and co-chairman of the PPP, Asif Ali Zardari, told journalists that the party was "not satisfied" with the verdict of the Rawalpindi Ant-Terrorism Court (ATC) in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case.

"The judges seem to have been frightened while giving the judgement in the case," he told local journalists in Nawabshah in a brief statement after Eid prayers.

The slain PPP chairperson's spouse said the party's lawyers, after consultations, will challenge the verdict in higher courts and ask judges to revisit the verdict.

Earlier, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had said that the "decision is disappointing and unacceptable" and that the party would explore legal options. Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, the youngest of Benazir's children, said that "we still await 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 had also expressed displeasure with the verdict, saying "police men arrested but actual terrorists acquitted #Shame".

The ATC had announced its 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 had been killed in a gun-and-bomb attack outside Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on Dec 27, 2007 while Musharraf was president.