DADU: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will move court to reopen the Benazir Bhutto assassination case.

General Pervez Musharraf was president when the PPP co-chairperson was assassinated on Dec 27, 2007, in Rawalpindi. Mr Shah said Gen Musharraf was the prime suspect in the case alleging that evidence at the crime scene were washed out by police officials on his instructions.

The chief minister was speaking to reporters at his residence in Wahur village of Sehwan taluka on Monday upon his return from Harmain Sharifain after performing Haj.

He recalled that Musharraf had left the country on court’s permission and was supposed to return to face the case. He recalled that Ms Bhutto in her life had clearly indicated that if any harm happened to her, Musharraf be held accountable for it.

In reply to questions about cases against PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Mr Shah said that his acquittal in one case after anther proved that all such cases against him were fake and politically motivated. He said the PPP leadership always respected the judiciary and their verdicts. He said that soon after becoming the head of state, Mr Zardari had forgiven all his political opponents.

The CM criticised ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif for disrespecting courts and judges and over a verdict against him in the Panama Papers case.

When asked about the cases registered against Sehwan Press Club president Yaseen Rind and a couple of reporters belonging to Sehwan and Bhan Syedabad, Mr Shah said that inquiries into the cases had already been instituted and if they came clear, the cases would be withdrawn. If a policeman was found guilty of implicating any of the reporters in a false case, he would surely be punished, he added.

In reply to a question about the atrocities let loose against Rohingyas on religious grounds in Myanmar, CM Shah said thousands of Rohingyas had to take refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh which was a matter of great concern. He said all Islamic states should come forward to help Bangladesh in this regard and try to resolve the issue amicably by ensuring protection to the affected people.

Commenting on reports about rain devastation in Karachi and failure of the authorities concerned in handling the situation, the chief minister said that although he was away in Saudi Arabia to perform Haj when heavy rains hit Karachi and other parts of Sindh, he remained in constant touch with the departments and officials concerned.

He noted that rainwater had been drained out in most areas of Karachi and work was under way at some places where it could not be removed. He said according to his information, only Golimar and Lines Area were yet to be cleared of rainwater. He held out the assurance that he would visit such areas soon. He said he had already held a meeting with the officials concerned and directed them to do the needful as soon as possible.

Hyderabad Commissioner Saeed Ahmed Magnejo, Jamshoro Deputy Commissioner Mautasim Abbasi, DIG Khadim Hussain Rind, senior PPP activists and officials of several departments were accompanying the CM.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2017