KARACHI, Jan 5: Dr Rehman Malik, the chief security adviser to the slain PPP chairperson, said on Saturday that a serving police official, and not he, was in charge of Benazir Bhutto’s detail, claiming that he had pointed out the inadequacies in measures taken by the government for the Dec 27 public meeting.

Dr Malik, who spoke at a news conference at Bilawal House, accused the government of sowing doubts and resorting to slander to shift attention from the “real culprits” behind Ms Bhutto’s assassination.

Dr Rehman Malik chose the occasion to defend himself against charges levelled by some PML-Q leaders that he had a lot to answer for since he handled Benazir Bhutto’s security arrangements.

Major Imtiaz had been deputed for the purpose, Dr Malik said.

He said Ms Bhutto had anticipated threats to her life and for that reason the party had acquired two B6 category land cruisers (armoured vehicles) for her transportation.

He said the PPP had repeatedly urged the government to ensure security that measures at par with those for the prime minister and the president.

He said Major Imtiaz, a serving police official, was selected for her physical security and the party’s volunteers also reported to him.

He said that after the Oct 18 incident, the party had asked for enhanced security measures for her. Dr Rehman Malik emphasized that “prime responsibility of Benazir Bhutto’s security is and was with the government because the PPP had no adequate measures. He said that the federal government gave directives to the provincial government for necessary security measures.

He said the PPP had sought two vehicles on the right and the same number of vehicles on the left side of the vehicle in which Ms Bhutto was traveling for adequate security shield. But that was not visible on the fateful day.

Dr Malik said that while Ms Bhutto’s caravan was moving on the Murree Road prior to her Liaquat Bagh public meeting, he received a call from her enquiring about jammers.

When he asked about jammers from Major Imtiaz and SP Yasin Farooq, he was informed that the same had not been provided. Dr Malik said that when he phoned the IG Punjab he was not available and his staff said he was in a meeting. Then he contacted Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah who promised that the same would be made available soon.

He said the presence of crowds on the Liaquat Bagh’s entry and exit points was also shocking and in violation of the security drill for VIPs. He mentioned the depletion in the deployment of police force on her way back. When this situation was pointed out to Yasin Farooq, he said that detachment had to be sent to deal with the situation resulting from attack on PML-N procession.