US ignored Bhutto’s request for security: WikiLeaks

ISLAMABAD: Just two months before she was killed in a terror attack, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had approached then US Ambassador in Islamabad asking for help to evaluate her personal security but it was ignored, latest WikiLeaks cables have revealed.

Bhutto handed over a written request to US Ambassador Anne W Patterson two months before she was killed asking her to carry out an evaluation of the security because she feared for her life, say the WikiLeaks cables.

The cables reveal that the US chose to look the other way, suggesting that Benazir should work constructively with General Pervez Musharraf’s government,

FIA chief served contempt notice in BB murder case

RAWALPINDI: Hearing the Benazir Bhutto’s assassination case, a special anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday issued a contempt of court notice to Director General of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Malik Iqbal for changing Investigation Officer and summoned him on May 30.

ATC judge Rana Nisar Ahmed Khan heard the Bhutto assassination case at Adiyala prison.

Special Public Prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar told the court that Investigation Officer Khalid Rasool has now been placed with Shuja Naveed.

On this, the judge expressed his anger, saying that Khalid Rasool was to submit his report about the implementation of Pervez Musharraf’s arrest warrant.

“Why was he changed,” the judge asked, saying that it was done in defiance of the court’s orders.”

The court then issued a contempt of court notice to FIA chief and adjourned the case till May 30. TrendPK

BB murder case: ATC receives orders to grant bail to Saud, Shehzad

LAHORE: An Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) hearing Benazir’s assassination lawsuit has received orders to grant bail to Saud Aziz and Khurrum Shehzad against bail bond, TrendPK reported.

It should be mentioned here that Rawalpindi’s Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Saud Aziz and former Superintendent of Police (SP) Khurram Shehzad are accused in Benazir Bhutto’s murder case. TrendPK

FIA director summoned for non-compliance of Musharrafs arrest warrants

A special anti-terrorism court on Saturday summoned Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director Wajid Zia for non-compliance of red warrants issued against former president Pervez Musharraf in Benazir Bhutto murder case.

The case was heard in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi. FIA prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar told the media that former SHO Kashif Riaz, plaintiff in Benazir Bhutto murder case, was trying to flee the country and he had asked the Punjab government to allow him to go abroad. He said that the FIA would appeal to the government to put Riaz’s name in the Exit Control List.

Azhar said that previous report of the British High Commission about the compliance of red warrants of Musharraf was presented before the court. The case was adjourned till April 9.

Strong democratic institutions vital to get rid of terrorism: Zardari

Addressing a ceremony in the Aiewan-e-Sadr to distribute the apartments and plots to the families of the martyred, the president said that terrorism would be wiped out of country at every cost. He said that the government took steps for the rehabilitation of families of the martyred who were deployed at the security of the Benazir Bhutto. He said that plots can not be a compensation of sacrifices however it was the duty of the government to give honour to the families of the martyred.

Benazir’s Blackberry sets found

KARACHI: Interior Ministry has recovered two Blackberry handsets of Benazir Bhutto from the servants of Bilawal House.

When contacted, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) confirmed the reports regarding recovery of Benazir Bhutto’s cell-phones that were lost in Liaquat Bagh Rawalpindi on the day of her assassination.

The investigative agencies were on the look for these mobile phones for three years.

The spokesman said they have not received the sets as yet, adding the records from the mobile phones will be extracted as soon as they are here.

Sources said the information from these mobile phones could provide some important clues and even breakthrough leading to the real culprits behind her assassination. TrendPK

Naudero: President Zardari addressed on occasion of BBs death anniversary

Addressing at the third death anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, President Asif Ali Zardari said that PPP-led government will complete five years tenure for sure and will keep on working in order to strengthen democracy.

In his address at Naudero, President stated that no dictator will derail democratic system in the future as it was Benazir Bhuttos vision due to which Musharraf was also forced to leave the country. He said that all political parties mutually agreed to participate in the election process. President also stated that NFC award was the vision of Benazir Bhutto, adding that PPP government had empowered all the provinces. It was for the first time in Pakistans history that a package was announced for a deprived province, which as Baluchistan Package, President added.

He said that China has approved 50,000 MW power plants for Pakistan and has also signed many other MoUs which is another big achievement of this government. President Zardari maintained BBs party has restored judiciary and the sitting Supreme Court Chief Justice is also restored due to Benazir Bhuttos commitment. Declaring Baitul Massod as BBs assassinator, the President said that Baitul Massod was killed but we did not kill him because BB never thought of taking any revenge.

Benazir murder case: Ex-policemen arrested from courtroom

trendpk.com:  Police have arrested two ex-policemen Saud Aziz and Khurram Shahzad from the courtroom in Rawalpindi in Benazir murder case, trendpk.com reported on Wednesday.

The anti-terror court cancelled the bail of former CPO Saud Aziz and SP Khurram who were presented in the court. The police arrested both the accused from the courtroom. Earlier, FIA presented an interim challan in the court in which it nominated both the accused for the murder.

Benazir murder case: Arrest warrants issued for Saud, Shahzad

A special Anti-Terrorism Court of Rawalpindi has issued non-bailable arrest warrants of former CPO Saud Aziz and SP Ashfaq Shahzad on the request of FIA in Benazir murder case.

The court judge Rana Nisar Ahmed heard the Benazir murder case in Adiala Jail. The judge during the hearing ordered Saud Aziz and Ashfaq Shahzad to appear in the court in the upcoming hearing on December 11 and he also issued non-bailable arrest warrants against the two officials for their alleged negligence. FIAs special public prosecutor Muhammad Azhar and Ch. Zulfiqar presented their arguments in the court. Azhar said that Saud and Shahzad were companions of the culprits. He said Khurram Shahzad was deployed in Liaqat Bagh to supervise security of Benazir Bhutto but Saud sent him to Koral area of Islamabad deliberately.

The court while accepting the plea of accused Aitzaz Shah and allowed him to continue his education in jail. The hearing was adjourned till December 11.

PPP suspends Naheed Khans party membership

News Trends: Pakistan Peoples Party on Monday suspended the party membership of Naheed Khan, political secretary to late Benazir Bhutto, over accusing party leadership of nepotism and cronyism.

In an emergency meeting, held in Rawalpindi under the chair of district president Amir Fida Paracha today, Naheeds membership was suspended after being charged with violating party discipline despite warnings. Amir told the mediamen that Naheed has been issued a show cause notice in this regard.

On Sunday, disgruntled activists of the Pakistan Peoples Party led by Naheed Khan, political secretary to the PPPs slain chairperson Benazir Bhutto, has accused the party leadership of promoting cronyism and nepotism in the party and the government at the cost of ideologues and true workers. The charges are part of a resolution adopted at a ceremony organised by the dissident group here on Sunday at the residence of Sardar Hur Bukhari to mark 44th Foundation Day of the party. It is pertinent to mention that Safdar Abbasis membership of CEC has already been suspended.

Naheed sticks to guns
When contacted, Naheed Khan told Dunya TV that her membership had been signed by Benazir Bhutto and the party may suspend her membership if it did not accept her signs. She reiterated her allegations.

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