Politics

16 years on Benazir Bhutto assassination remains unsolved

Published

11 months ago

Farwa

Mystery surrounding assassination of Benazir continues to grow.
Despite threats, she addressed addresed the rally in Rawalpindi.
Scotland Yard team investigated killing of Benazir Bhutto.

ISLAMABAD: It was the day 16 years ago when one of Pakistan’s most loved and popular political leaders, Ms Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated in a suicide bomb blast-cum-gun shooting attack outside the famous Liaquat Bagh as she was about to depart after addressing a big election rally on 27 December 2007.

The events unfolding soon after the unfortunate incident continued to make the incident murkier, casting long shadows of doubts and suspicions as the nation seemed to be sucked in a pal of gloom and despair. The public reaction to the violent death of the most popular political leader was spontaneous and understandable.

With each passing day, the mystery surrounding the assassination of Benazir Bhutto continued to grow. First with the change of the route of her return after addressing the rally, a hurried washing of the crime scene by the administration, washing away critical evidence, and a shake-up in top local bureaucracy.

Finally, a press conference by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior, announcing the incident being a terror strike and even releasing intercepts of alleged terrorists’ telephonic conversations and even sketches of two persons purported as the alleged terrorists belonging to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

BB’s party, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) won the general elections in January 2008 with a thin majority and formed a coalition government and with that, the demand for a fair and independent investigation into the unfortunate incident grew louder and louder.

The military dictator, General Pervez Musharraf, called an investigation team from Scotland Yard of the United Kingdom to investigate the killing of Benazir Bhutto and submit a report on January 8, 2008. However, former President Asif Ali Zardari, the spouse of Benazir Bhutto, and the Pakistan People’s Party rejected the Scotland Yard report and openly accused General Pervez Musharraf of being behind the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, while declaring it inept and full of doubts.

There were repeated demands for an independent inquiry by the UN into the incident by the PPP government and eventually, Bank Ki-Moon, the then Secretary-General of the United Nations announced in February 2009 for sending a high-level UN Fact Finding Mission to look into the incident.

The UN Fact-Finding Mission arrived in Islamabad on 16 July 2009 and started their job, during which they held extensive discussions with concerned persons and departments. The UN Fact Finding Mission eventually released its report but that was vague and without any conclusive remarks regarding identifying the culprits behind the tragic incident.

The UN Fact-Finding Mission report was rejected by former President Asif Ali Zardari and the PPP citing reasons that it contains no substance and no efforts were made by the UN Mission to point out the people and the elements behind the gruesome suicide attack on two-time Prime Minister of Pakistan, Ms Benazir Bhutto.

It may be recalled that the former military dictator, Gen Pervez Musharraf, himself admitted that there was credible information available that Benazir Bhutto would be targeted by the ‘terrorists’ and even said that the then Director-General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Gen Nadeem Taj, personally met Benazir Bhutto less than 24 hours ago (on December 26) at her residence and tried to convince her not to go to Liaquat Bagh to address her last public rally ahead of the general elections.

However, reportedly, Benazir Bhutto refused to buy the argument of DG ISI regarding threats to her life and the possibility of a lethal attack aimed at eliminating her by purported terrorist groups, especially Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The meeting was held in the backdrop of a shooting incident near Nowshera on the convoy of Benazir Bhutto when she was returning from Peshawar after addressing a public rally.

She went ahead with her plan of addressing the rally in Rawalpindi and fell victim to the dastardly suicide bombing-cum-gun shooting attack minutes after she left Liaquat Bagh after addressing a very successful rally.

Over the last 16 years, there have been multiple theories behind the elimination of Benazir Bhutto but there are hardly any solid evidence available to corroborate those theories.

But there were enough events that followed BB’s assassination which strongly indicated that all out efforts were made to hide the facts to confuse things and mislead the investigators who tried to solve the ‘mystery’.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) remained in power from 2008 till 2013 but was unable to take any meaningful steps to find the people and forces behind the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the two-time Prime Minister of Pakistan and as the day marks the 16th anniversary of her violent death the mystery is still unsolved.

Latest News

Reaction to the PTI protest call by Fazlur Rehman

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, speaking on a private television station, said that the PTI is always coming to the streets, which really lessens the impact of a protest.

He also suggested to the PTI leadership that rather than carrying on with the agitation, it should finally put a hard hand down, which would be the final nail in the coffin.

He continued, citing the JUI protests as an example, saying, “We had a strong grip over our protesters and workers, so neither road was closed nor any property damage occurred during protests.”

The PTI has the right to protest, but Maulana Fazlur Rehman described the party’s agitation strategy as insufficient, stating that it is currently being “exposed which maynot be a good sign’.

Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, promised not to go back home unless the PTI founder was freed. During their demonstration, Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, encouraged the party officials to come up with strategies to avoid being arrested.

According to an alleged audio recording, she stated that November 24 will be a loyalty test for PTI members.

Additionally, the government of Islamabad has enforced section 144 for a period of two months, which prohibits processions, rallies, demonstrations, and meetings of five or more individuals in the city.

As per the notification, the prohibition forbade meetings in any public space inside the boundaries of Islamabad, including the Red Zone, which encompasses important government buildings, diplomatic missions, and other sensitive sites.

Latest News

PTI representatives conjecture in the media over Imran’s approval of bail: FIA investigator

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

The hearing on the PTI founder’s bail application in the Toshakhana-2 case has resumed at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), with Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb serving as the presider.

The hearing was attended by the defense attorney, Barrister Salman Safdar, and FIA prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi.

Judge Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb told the FIA prosecutor to “leave the media alone and exempt yourself from them” in order to avoid commenting on the media. The statement followed the prosecutor’s assertion that the bail would be granted, which had previously been reported by media sources.

In addition, the court questioned whether the receipts in question were issued in the name of Bushra Bibi or the PTI founder itself. Bushra Bibi’s name was on the receipts listed in the challan, according to Barrister Salman Safdar.

Defense arguments
The defense expressed displeasure about the case’s 3.5-year registration wait. The prosecution has swore in Sohaib Abbasi and made Inamullah Shah a crucial witness without requiring them to take an oath.

Barrister Salman Safdar highlighted that multiple agencies, including NAB, FIA, Police, and the Election Commission, have initiated actions related to the Toshakhana case, suggesting procedural redundancy.

Regarding a phony Toshakhana receipt, he contended, the Kohsar Police Station has also filed a case.

Position of the prosecution
The FIA prosecutor, Umair Majeed Malik, maintained that the valuation of the jewelry set mentioned in the case would be explained in the prosecution’s evidence.Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb remarked, “If the media does not spread sensationalism, how will they conduct their business?” He dismissed rumors about his health, stating that he was present and hearing the case despite such reports.

Status of Co-Accused
The court was informed that Bushra Bibi, a co-accused in the case, is currently on interim bail and awaiting a decision by Judge Afzal Majuka. Barrister Salman Safdar expressed hope that Judge Majuka would soon announce his verdict.

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Naqvi visits Fazl to express gratitude for contributions to the 26th amendment.

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi convened with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman to deliberate on issues of shared concern and the current political landscape in the nation.

In today’s meeting in Islamabad, Mr. Naqvi asked about Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s health and sent his best wishes for the JUI chief’s well-being and future pursuits.

Naqvi extended his appreciation to Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his crucial contribution to the enactment of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which he characterised as a significant milestone in Pakistan’s legislative history.

Following the meeting, Naqvi commended Mr. Fazlur Rehman’s commitment to the nation, asserting, “Maulana Fazlur Rehman has consistently prioritised Pakistan’s interests, and his contributions to the country are indispensable.”

The experienced politician reaffirmed his dedication to Pakistan and its populace, stating, “Our priority has consistently been Pakistan and the well-being of its citizens.”

Senator Kamran Murtaza attended the meeting.