Anti-Terrorism Court re-issues warrant for Musharraf’s arrest in Benazir murder case

RAWALPINDI - An Anti-Terrorism Court in Pakistan has reissued a non-bailable arrest warrant against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in connection with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.

Musharraf was Pakistan’s President when Benazir was targeted in a gun and bomb attack as she was leaving Liaqat Bagh in Rawalpindi after addressing a public rally on December 27, 2007.

Last Saturday, the ATC had issued an arrest warrant against the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) chief, ordering him to appear for a hearing on February 19 in the Benazir murder case.

“Last week the court had issued the arrest warrant but it could not be served at Musharraf’s residence in Islamabad and we were told that he does not live there,” Samaa TV quoted Special Prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali, as saying on Saturday.

“Today the court reissued the warrants and adjourned the hearing till March 5,” he added.

Musharraf is living in a self-imposed exile in London since he was replaced by Asif Ali Zardari as president, but has spoken of returning to Pakistan before the next elections in several interviews.

“We do not have his address, but we came to know through media and officials who went to serve the warrant that he is in UK. We will get his address and serve the notice on it,” the Special Prosecutor said.

Meanwhile, Musharraf’s spokesman has said that the former general will not be going back to Pakistan for any court hearing.

Although the exact nature of the charges against the APML chief are not clear, he is alleged to have been part of a “broad conspiracy” to have Benazir killed before elections in the country. (ANI)