By Baqir Sajjad Syed
ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Medico-legal experts believe that the medical report of slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, one of the most important pieces of evidence in the probe into her killing, is fraught with lacunae and doctors of Rawalpindi General Hospital acted ‘unprofessionally’ while authoring it.
It is assumed that the doctors could have done a much better job by simply sticking to the basics like writing a proper medico-legal report mentioning the precise nature of injuries, description of wounds and kind of weapon (bullet, shrapnel or other possible object).
Such a detailed report could have compensated the need for an autopsy which her husband Mr Asif Ali Zardari had refused, leaving the investigators to rely on the inconclusive report prepared by the doctors.
The situation has given rise to speculations and conspiracy theories of all sorts about how the Pakistan People’s Party leader actually died, including the “lever theory” propagated by the government, which was eventually retracted.
The government has obtained the services of Scotland Yard, but it is held that their probe would be constrained by the absence of a detailed examination of the former premier’s injuries and loss of other vital forensic evidence.
There are reports, albeit unconfirmed, which suggest that certain doctors had been influenced. A senior hospital source said the doctors had been under intense pressure from all sides over the cause of death.
Exhuming her body could have been a useful option, but that too has been refused by her family.
A senior medico-legal expert Dr Zaman Niazi said the medical report contained alarming technical lapses and was “prima facie a case of foul play”.
He bases his contention on the absence of the casualty medical officer, from the list of seven doctors, who signed the report released a day after the tragic assassination of the PPP leader. Ordinarily, the CMO is the initiator of such reports since he is the doctor who receives the patient in the emergency and hence the most competent person to write the report.
This opinion about the competence of the authors of the report gets credence from the absence of Professor of Neuro-surgery Dr Arif Malik from the list of signatories of the report. Dr Malik says he did not sign the report because “he is a treating doctor and not a medico-legal expert to write such reports.”
The description of wounds in the report, Dr Niazi says, is also inappropriate. The standard depiction of the wounds requires the length, breadth and depth of the injuries to be mentioned. However in Ms Bhutto’s case, the panel of doctors who authored the report just stated that the wound on the right was measuring 5x3cm without specifying the parameters and mentioning which one had been omitted?
Dr Naizi sees the report as just half-truth and an attempt to conceal the other half.
Other doctors, seeking anonymity, also criticise the explanation of the position of the wound. The report says it (wound) was just above the pinna of right ear, whereas medico-legal experts say that the position should have been in relation to some fixed point.
The report mentions the presence of two or three radio-densities, but none of the doctors bothered to explore them through a CT scan or get a detailed opinion of the radiologist.
Absence of a forensic expert from the team has also been questioned.
Professor of Forensic Medicine at the Foundation Medical University and member of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, Dr Mian Rashid is of the view that the depressed wound to which the report refers to under the section relating to cause of death has been grossly misinterpreted by the doctors.
The doctor, who also specialises in skull injuries, says the wound was in fact the ‘point of exit’ of the bullet. “Since the report says that whitish brain matter was coming out, it can only happen at point of exit.”
Dr Rashid says the doctors attending to the former prime minister omitted the point of entry as they skipped the standard procedure for examining such wounds.
He has reservations about the cause of death mentioned in the report. “The clinical cause of death in the report is most unscientific, he says, adding that it is the mode/route of death and not the cause.
Rawalpindi Medical College Principal Prof Dr Mussadiq Khan, who led the team of doctors authoring the report, was contacted couple of times, but he did not respond.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Extremists killed Benazir: Bush
By Our Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan 5: US President George W. Bush once again said on Saturday that he believed “religious extremists” were responsible for the murder of Benazir Bhutto.
“Since Sept 11, 2001, extremists have assassinated democratic leaders from Afghanistan to Lebanon to Pakistan,” Mr Bush said in his weekly radio address.
On Thursday, he had said Ms Bhutto’s assassination had “all the hallmarks” of how Al Qaeda operated.
Mr Bush, who is to travel to the Middle East later this month, said he would discuss the issue of terrorism in Pakistan with his allies in the region.
He said that the 9/11 attacks had proved “dangers that arise on the other side of the world can bring death and destruction to our own streets”.
Mr Bush said that those responsible for killing democratic leaders in Pakistan and other places were “seeking new weapons and new operatives, so they can attack America again, overthrow governments in the Middle East and impose their hateful vision on millions”.
He said that during his forthcoming trip to the Middle East, he would consult America’s partners in the “war against these extremists”.
“I will reaffirm our pledge to use every necessary tool of intelligence, law enforcement, diplomacy, finance, and military power to bring our common enemies to justice,” Mr Bush said. “The terrorists and extremists will not let down their guard, and we must not let down ours.”
WASHINGTON, Jan 5: US President George W. Bush once again said on Saturday that he believed “religious extremists” were responsible for the murder of Benazir Bhutto.
“Since Sept 11, 2001, extremists have assassinated democratic leaders from Afghanistan to Lebanon to Pakistan,” Mr Bush said in his weekly radio address.
On Thursday, he had said Ms Bhutto’s assassination had “all the hallmarks” of how Al Qaeda operated.
Mr Bush, who is to travel to the Middle East later this month, said he would discuss the issue of terrorism in Pakistan with his allies in the region.
He said that the 9/11 attacks had proved “dangers that arise on the other side of the world can bring death and destruction to our own streets”.
Mr Bush said that those responsible for killing democratic leaders in Pakistan and other places were “seeking new weapons and new operatives, so they can attack America again, overthrow governments in the Middle East and impose their hateful vision on millions”.
He said that during his forthcoming trip to the Middle East, he would consult America’s partners in the “war against these extremists”.
“I will reaffirm our pledge to use every necessary tool of intelligence, law enforcement, diplomacy, finance, and military power to bring our common enemies to justice,” Mr Bush said. “The terrorists and extremists will not let down their guard, and we must not let down ours.”
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Govt did not benefit from assassination: Boucher
By Anwar Iqbal
WASHINGTON, Jan 4: The government of Pakistan has not benefited from the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, conveyed US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher when asked to comment on speculations that those who benefit the most may have had a reason to kill her.
“It all points to the extremists,” said Mr Boucher in an interview to Dawn while talking about the circumstantial evidence he had seen so far.
On Thursday, President George W. Bush said that Ms Bhutto’s murder has “all the hallmarks” of Al Qaeda. Other US officials have also said they find reports of Baitullah Mehsud’s involvement in the assassination “very, very credible”, ruling out the possibility that the Musharraf government might have orchestrated the attack.
When reminded that Baitullah Mehsud has denied having a hand in Ms Bhutto’s death, one such official noted that “he has denied a lot of things recently”.
US officials also say that PPP’s claims about the government’s involvement only showed they were “very upset” with the current rulers. “I am not aware of anything that indicates to the government of Pakistan”, said an official who did not want to be identified.
In a situation like this, “the first place to look at … are the people who have been making the threats (to eliminate Ms Bhutto and other moderate Pakistani leaders)”, the official said.
Mr Boucher refused to get involved in the controversy but recalled that Al Qaeda had been after moderate Pakistani leaders. Asked who benefited the most from the assassination, Mr Boucher said: “I would say that nobody benefits from this murder, that it’s certainly a blow to the ordinary citizens of Pakistan.”
The assassination, he said, had produced a lot of questions about Pakistan’s stability and future and “it certainly has not put the government in a good position”.
He then explained how those working with the government were confident that working with it was part of helping Pakistan stand up and continue to make a successful democratic transition.
“I think the only people who do benefit are people who want to see instability in Pakistan, who want to impose their will on Pakistan in defiance of whatever the political, democratic process, might produce, people who don’t want to see democratically elected leaders in Pakistan; and that points to the extremists.”
Mr Boucher described Asif Zardari’s demand for a UN-led probe of the murder as one of a variety of ideas put forth by various people, but noted that Pakistan’s decision to invite Scotland Yard was “very positive” and will be “very useful”.
The United States, he said, had already offered to assist the probe and “I am sure they will ask if they need help”.
Asked if the government was not involved, why it washed away all the evidence, Mr Boucher said: “I have no idea but based on what I’ve heard from other incidents that seems to be standard practice, unfortunately.”
Mr Boucher explained that it was not right to describe the US “involvement” with Pakistan as its “commitment” to the Musharraf government when asked if Washington would continue to support Mr Musharraf after Ms Bhutto’s assassination.“Our support is for Pakistan, for Pakistan as a nation, and for Pakistan as a society to succeed.”
Mr Boucher noted that Pakistan was now making a successful transition to democracy, adding that all Pakistani leaders, including President Musharraf, and political parties should focus on how to make it successful.
The United States, he said, wanted to help Pakistan make the next elections as “credible and transparent as possible.”
Asked if a peaceful democratic transition in Pakistan was still possible, he said: “It is not only possible, but necessary.”
Mr Boucher disagreed with the suggestion that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had become more acceptable to the US after Ms Bhutto’s murder.
“I wouldn’t say anybody is more or less acceptable. I would say that we will work with whoever is elected in Pakistan through a democratic process, and our desire is to see a well founded democratically elected government.”
He said: “Our hope is that all the moderate parties will join together, and work together, for a successful transition, and a strongly based platform from which to fight terrorism.”
Reports in the US and Pakistani media have suggested that the United States was unwilling to trust Mr Sharif because of his links to religious parties, but Ms Bhutto’s murder has made him more acceptable to Washington.
“A lot of things are said about us”, said Mr Boucher while commenting on these reports. “Our view is that the Pakistani people need a chance to decide on their government. Whoever they decide on as the leader of Pakistan, we’ll work with that person and those people. Our goal is to work with a democratically elected government, whoever that would be.”
Mr Boucher rejected media reports that Washington encouraged Ms Bhutto to return home as incorrect.
“Nobody had to encourage her to go back to Pakistan”, he said. “She very much wanted to go back to Pakistan. She had been talking for a long time about trying to get back, to participate in politics, the political campaign. She knew what the risks were to going back, but she was very, very committed. She knew it was inherently dangerous to go back and campaign, but she absolutely wanted to be involved in Pakistani politics and a Pakistani democratic process.”
Mr Boucher said the US had made it very clear to Pakistan that having a free media was one of the essential parts of having a good election. “You’ve got 40 more days now (and) we want to see 40 days of progress” towards a free media.
WASHINGTON, Jan 4: The government of Pakistan has not benefited from the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, conveyed US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher when asked to comment on speculations that those who benefit the most may have had a reason to kill her.
“It all points to the extremists,” said Mr Boucher in an interview to Dawn while talking about the circumstantial evidence he had seen so far.
On Thursday, President George W. Bush said that Ms Bhutto’s murder has “all the hallmarks” of Al Qaeda. Other US officials have also said they find reports of Baitullah Mehsud’s involvement in the assassination “very, very credible”, ruling out the possibility that the Musharraf government might have orchestrated the attack.
When reminded that Baitullah Mehsud has denied having a hand in Ms Bhutto’s death, one such official noted that “he has denied a lot of things recently”.
US officials also say that PPP’s claims about the government’s involvement only showed they were “very upset” with the current rulers. “I am not aware of anything that indicates to the government of Pakistan”, said an official who did not want to be identified.
In a situation like this, “the first place to look at … are the people who have been making the threats (to eliminate Ms Bhutto and other moderate Pakistani leaders)”, the official said.
Mr Boucher refused to get involved in the controversy but recalled that Al Qaeda had been after moderate Pakistani leaders. Asked who benefited the most from the assassination, Mr Boucher said: “I would say that nobody benefits from this murder, that it’s certainly a blow to the ordinary citizens of Pakistan.”
The assassination, he said, had produced a lot of questions about Pakistan’s stability and future and “it certainly has not put the government in a good position”.
He then explained how those working with the government were confident that working with it was part of helping Pakistan stand up and continue to make a successful democratic transition.
“I think the only people who do benefit are people who want to see instability in Pakistan, who want to impose their will on Pakistan in defiance of whatever the political, democratic process, might produce, people who don’t want to see democratically elected leaders in Pakistan; and that points to the extremists.”
Mr Boucher described Asif Zardari’s demand for a UN-led probe of the murder as one of a variety of ideas put forth by various people, but noted that Pakistan’s decision to invite Scotland Yard was “very positive” and will be “very useful”.
The United States, he said, had already offered to assist the probe and “I am sure they will ask if they need help”.
Asked if the government was not involved, why it washed away all the evidence, Mr Boucher said: “I have no idea but based on what I’ve heard from other incidents that seems to be standard practice, unfortunately.”
Mr Boucher explained that it was not right to describe the US “involvement” with Pakistan as its “commitment” to the Musharraf government when asked if Washington would continue to support Mr Musharraf after Ms Bhutto’s assassination.“Our support is for Pakistan, for Pakistan as a nation, and for Pakistan as a society to succeed.”
Mr Boucher noted that Pakistan was now making a successful transition to democracy, adding that all Pakistani leaders, including President Musharraf, and political parties should focus on how to make it successful.
The United States, he said, wanted to help Pakistan make the next elections as “credible and transparent as possible.”
Asked if a peaceful democratic transition in Pakistan was still possible, he said: “It is not only possible, but necessary.”
Mr Boucher disagreed with the suggestion that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had become more acceptable to the US after Ms Bhutto’s murder.
“I wouldn’t say anybody is more or less acceptable. I would say that we will work with whoever is elected in Pakistan through a democratic process, and our desire is to see a well founded democratically elected government.”
He said: “Our hope is that all the moderate parties will join together, and work together, for a successful transition, and a strongly based platform from which to fight terrorism.”
Reports in the US and Pakistani media have suggested that the United States was unwilling to trust Mr Sharif because of his links to religious parties, but Ms Bhutto’s murder has made him more acceptable to Washington.
“A lot of things are said about us”, said Mr Boucher while commenting on these reports. “Our view is that the Pakistani people need a chance to decide on their government. Whoever they decide on as the leader of Pakistan, we’ll work with that person and those people. Our goal is to work with a democratically elected government, whoever that would be.”
Mr Boucher rejected media reports that Washington encouraged Ms Bhutto to return home as incorrect.
“Nobody had to encourage her to go back to Pakistan”, he said. “She very much wanted to go back to Pakistan. She had been talking for a long time about trying to get back, to participate in politics, the political campaign. She knew what the risks were to going back, but she was very, very committed. She knew it was inherently dangerous to go back and campaign, but she absolutely wanted to be involved in Pakistani politics and a Pakistani democratic process.”
Mr Boucher said the US had made it very clear to Pakistan that having a free media was one of the essential parts of having a good election. “You’ve got 40 more days now (and) we want to see 40 days of progress” towards a free media.
Musharraf asks PM to speed up murder probe
By Ihtasham ul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Jan 4: President Pervez Musharraf directed caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro on Friday to speed up the pace of investigation into the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto.
According to sources, he expressed concern over what he called slow progress and asked the prime minister to extend full cooperation to the Scotland Yard to complete the investigation as early as possible.
The president was presiding over a meeting held to discuss measures taken to maintain peace during Muharram and general elections.
The prime minister, chief ministers, the chief of the army staff, interior minister, heads of security and intelligence agencies and senior officials attended the meeting.
President Musharraf asked the authorities concerned to exert efforts to improve the law and order situation.
He stressed the need for ensuring peace during Muharram and said that all possible efforts should be made to protect the life and property of the people.
The meeting was informed about deployment of army and paramilitary forces on internal security duty in aid of civilian authorities in various parts of the country.
The sources said that the president also asked the prime minister to complete the process of setting up a commission for investigating and evaluating the damage caused to public and private property during the recent unrest.
The prime minister told the meeting that a mechanism for assessing the damage was being put in place and the federal government was working in coordination with the provinces.
ISLAMABAD, Jan 4: President Pervez Musharraf directed caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro on Friday to speed up the pace of investigation into the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto.
According to sources, he expressed concern over what he called slow progress and asked the prime minister to extend full cooperation to the Scotland Yard to complete the investigation as early as possible.
The president was presiding over a meeting held to discuss measures taken to maintain peace during Muharram and general elections.
The prime minister, chief ministers, the chief of the army staff, interior minister, heads of security and intelligence agencies and senior officials attended the meeting.
President Musharraf asked the authorities concerned to exert efforts to improve the law and order situation.
He stressed the need for ensuring peace during Muharram and said that all possible efforts should be made to protect the life and property of the people.
The meeting was informed about deployment of army and paramilitary forces on internal security duty in aid of civilian authorities in various parts of the country.
The sources said that the president also asked the prime minister to complete the process of setting up a commission for investigating and evaluating the damage caused to public and private property during the recent unrest.
The prime minister told the meeting that a mechanism for assessing the damage was being put in place and the federal government was working in coordination with the provinces.
PPP rejects ‘fabricated’ medical report
By Our Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD, Jan 4: Pakistan People’s Party Senator Dr Babar Awan on Friday categorically rejected the medical report on the Dec 27 assassination of party chairperson Benazir Bhutto and called for an independent probe under a United Nations commission.
Addressing a news conference here, he alleged that the Punjab government had ‘fabricated’ the medical report and said the party would challenge it at the UN forum.Dr Awan claimed that the X-ray of Ms Bhutto clearly showed bullet wound in her head. He expressed his dissatisfaction over Scotland Yard’s investigations and asked President Pervez Musharraf to first carry out the investigation into the causes of death of Jamhoori Watan Party chief Nawab Akbar Bugti.
The PPP leader said that there was no need for President Musharraf to deny army’s involvement in Ms Bhutto’s killing because his party had never raised finger on it. He accused the government of conspiring to create deliberate chaos and anarchy in order to discourage the visit of foreign observers in the country during elections.
Our Staff Reporter adds from Lahore: A team of legal experts set up by the PPP has almost finalised a letter it is planning to send to the UN secretary-general requesting it to form an inquiry commission to investigate the assassination Ms Bhutto and people behind the tragedy.
The draft letter is likely to be presented to PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for approval on Saturday. Once he clears it a further action will be taken to get the needful done. The PPP team is led by Senator Farooq Naek, a prominent lawyer.
ISLAMABAD, Jan 4: Pakistan People’s Party Senator Dr Babar Awan on Friday categorically rejected the medical report on the Dec 27 assassination of party chairperson Benazir Bhutto and called for an independent probe under a United Nations commission.
Addressing a news conference here, he alleged that the Punjab government had ‘fabricated’ the medical report and said the party would challenge it at the UN forum.Dr Awan claimed that the X-ray of Ms Bhutto clearly showed bullet wound in her head. He expressed his dissatisfaction over Scotland Yard’s investigations and asked President Pervez Musharraf to first carry out the investigation into the causes of death of Jamhoori Watan Party chief Nawab Akbar Bugti.
The PPP leader said that there was no need for President Musharraf to deny army’s involvement in Ms Bhutto’s killing because his party had never raised finger on it. He accused the government of conspiring to create deliberate chaos and anarchy in order to discourage the visit of foreign observers in the country during elections.
Our Staff Reporter adds from Lahore: A team of legal experts set up by the PPP has almost finalised a letter it is planning to send to the UN secretary-general requesting it to form an inquiry commission to investigate the assassination Ms Bhutto and people behind the tragedy.
The draft letter is likely to be presented to PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for approval on Saturday. Once he clears it a further action will be taken to get the needful done. The PPP team is led by Senator Farooq Naek, a prominent lawyer.
Scotland Yard experts meet local detectives
By Syed Irfan Raza and Mohammad Asghar
ISLAMABAD, Jan 4: A team of five detectives of the Scotland Yard arrived here on Friday.
Interior Ministry spokesman Brig (retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema told Dawn that the team would assist the Pakistani officials probing the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
He said the British investigators comprising forensic and technical experts met a team of local detectives of police and the Special Investigation Group of Federal Investigation Agency who had already started the probe.
“We do not know how long the Scotland Yard team will stay here because there is no timeframe for them to complete the task,” he said.
The foreign experts were briefed on the evidences available with the Pakistani police and the investigation carried out so far, a security source said.
The British team also examined Ms Bhutto’s bullet-proof vehicle which had been impounded and was declared a ‘case property’.
The Scotland Yard team is expected to record statements of some of the people injured in the attack.
Analysts here said that the Scotland Yard team would face difficulty because of lack of evidence. They said police had not cordoned off the assassination site and had washed it immediately after the incident.
The team would also face difficulties because no post-mortem of Ms Bhutto had been conducted. The government has offered to exhume the body, but her family seems to be reluctant to allow it.
It is feared that due to lack of solid evidences the British team may not come up with any definitive conclusion and it will have to rely on the information provided by the local investigators.
Ms Bhutto had said two months before her assassination that her enemies in the government and intelligence agencies were planning to kill her and had demanded adequate security.
The Pakistan People’s Party has already rejected the government decision to get the investigation conducted by the British police.
“We will accept investigation of the tragic incident by international experts only if it is conducted under the auspices of the United Nations,” PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has said.
It is not the first time that a Scotland Yard team has come here to help probe a high-profile political assassination.
In 1951, Pakistan had sought British government’s help after the country’s first prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan was shot dead in Rawalpindi.
Many opposition leaders at that time had demanded investigation by foreign experts because they believed that some government officials were involved in the murder.
The government initially rejected the demand but later invited an expert from Scotland Yard. But for reasons never disclosed, the British investigator was asked to leave Pakistan only after a few weeks. The Pakistani authorities never revealed anything about the investigation.
In September 1996 when Murtaza Bhutto was killed, a similar demand was made to seek Scotland Yard’s help. A team from Britain had come to Pakistan but it was asked to leave before the probe was completed.
Friday, January 4, 2008
KARACHI: ‘PPP volunteers not searched for weapons’: Oct 18 inquiry tribunal
By Azfar-ul-Ashfaque
KARACHI, Jan 3: Depositions before the inquiry tribunal investigating the Oct 18, 2007, Karsaz blasts established on Thursday that the police not only failed to check the identities of some 300 to 400 volunteers of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) who were guarding former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s float, but the law-enforcement personnel entrusted with the duty of implementing the approved security plan did not verify the volunteers’ authority or whether any of them was armed.
This information came to light when the inquiry tribunal cross-examined a witness, SP Javed Ahmed Baloch, who had been the nominated float commander of Ms Bhutto’s homecoming procession.
Under the pre-approved security plan, amongst the many responsibilities of the police was to ensure that no unauthorised or suspicious person or vehicle was able to approach the PPP motorcade, as well as to ensure that no PPP leader was accompanied on the motorcade by an armed gunman.
Responding to a question raised by the head of the tribunal, Justice (retd) Dr Ghaus Mohammed, at the start of Wednesday’s proceedings, SP Baloch confirmed that he had full knowledge of the security plan and arrangements, and that a copy of these details had been given to him.
He testified that he had coordinated with PPP leader Agha Siraj Durrani, who had informed the superintendent at the airport that no police personnel would be deputed on the float and that PPP worker Akram Baloch would be in charge of the float’s security. Telling the tribunal that Mr Durrani placed between 300 and 400 PPP volunteers to guard the float when it arrived at Terminal 1, SP Baloch testified that he had personally informed SSP Security Dr Amin Yousafzai about this.
“Since it was your duty to ensure that no unauthorised person came close to the float, what measures did the police take?” questioned the tribunal. “How do you know that all the volunteers were authorised?”
SP Baloch responded that all the PPP volunteers had known each other and had not allowed anyone to check the main vehicle, including their own party leaders. According to the superintendent’s deposition, the volunteers also barred the bomb disposal squad initially, and allowed the squad to sweep the vehicle only after he [SP Baloch] approached PPP worker and security overseer Akram Baloch in this regard.
The superintendent further said that since all the volunteers had worn the same uniform adorned with party flags, he had presumed that they were authorised PPP volunteers.
Weapons’ check not undertaken
“How could you presume that all of them were authorised PPP volunteers? Did the police check them to ensure that they were not carrying any weapons, since it was not allowed [under the security plan]?” questioned the tribunal.
The witness conceded that none of the apparent volunteers had been checked by the police. He hastily added that the volunteers had come to the airport in a bus and PPP leader Mr Durrani had informed the police that they had been checked and were unarmed.
SP Baloch testified that the crowd had been at a distance of about 50 feet from the float and the rush prevented the maintenance of a larger distance.
In response to another question, he said that the police took measures and did not allow any unauthorised person to approach the float carrying Ms Bhutto from the airport to the Karsaz bridge.
“But don’t you feel it was a security lapse that 300 to 400 people were there but they were not checked?” asked the court. This prompted additional advocate-general Arshad Lodhi to intervene and try to explain, but the tribunal made it clear that it wanted to know whether a security lapse had taken place.
Referring to a requirement of the security plan that the “armed gunmen of political leaders would not be allowed to travel with the motorcade,” SP Baloch conceded that this had not, in fact, been checked.SP Baloch further testified that he did not see the head of the suspected suicide bomber at the scene of the blasts. “Due to panic and confusion, people were running away here and there and therefore, I could not further concentrate except that I went towards the injured persons,” he said.
‘No plainclothesmen visible’
Meanwhile, a police inspector who had been on duty in front of the Oct 18 procession also testified before the tribunal.
Inspector Tasdeeq Waris Shaikh informed the tribunal that his duty had been to ensure that no one approached Ms Bhutto’s float from the front.
He deposed that he had followed the security plan given to him. A hostile crowd rushed towards the police when the first blast occurred, he said, adding that he had not seen any plainclothesmen and could not say whether any such force had been deputed along the route.
Responding to a query, he said that he had no knowledge as to whether the 300 to 400 PPP volunteers had been checked for weapons. He further deposed that “I did not see any suspect on the route.”
“As security was your responsibility, what measures had the police taken in such a large crowd?” asked the tribunal. Inspector Shaikh said that the police made efforts to keep the public away from the float. “What was Ms Bhutto’s position at the time of the blast,” asked Justice (retd) Dr Ghaus.
The inspector said that since he was deputed towards the front of the procession, he could not see Ms Bhutto’s position. However, he added, during the journey from the airport to Karsaz he had seen the assassinated leader standing behind bullet-proof glass.
The tribunal later instructed its liaison officer, SSP Niaz Khoso, to produce two more witnesses at the next date and adjourned proceedings until Jan 7.
KARACHI, Jan 3: Depositions before the inquiry tribunal investigating the Oct 18, 2007, Karsaz blasts established on Thursday that the police not only failed to check the identities of some 300 to 400 volunteers of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) who were guarding former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s float, but the law-enforcement personnel entrusted with the duty of implementing the approved security plan did not verify the volunteers’ authority or whether any of them was armed.
This information came to light when the inquiry tribunal cross-examined a witness, SP Javed Ahmed Baloch, who had been the nominated float commander of Ms Bhutto’s homecoming procession.
Under the pre-approved security plan, amongst the many responsibilities of the police was to ensure that no unauthorised or suspicious person or vehicle was able to approach the PPP motorcade, as well as to ensure that no PPP leader was accompanied on the motorcade by an armed gunman.
Responding to a question raised by the head of the tribunal, Justice (retd) Dr Ghaus Mohammed, at the start of Wednesday’s proceedings, SP Baloch confirmed that he had full knowledge of the security plan and arrangements, and that a copy of these details had been given to him.
He testified that he had coordinated with PPP leader Agha Siraj Durrani, who had informed the superintendent at the airport that no police personnel would be deputed on the float and that PPP worker Akram Baloch would be in charge of the float’s security. Telling the tribunal that Mr Durrani placed between 300 and 400 PPP volunteers to guard the float when it arrived at Terminal 1, SP Baloch testified that he had personally informed SSP Security Dr Amin Yousafzai about this.
“Since it was your duty to ensure that no unauthorised person came close to the float, what measures did the police take?” questioned the tribunal. “How do you know that all the volunteers were authorised?”
SP Baloch responded that all the PPP volunteers had known each other and had not allowed anyone to check the main vehicle, including their own party leaders. According to the superintendent’s deposition, the volunteers also barred the bomb disposal squad initially, and allowed the squad to sweep the vehicle only after he [SP Baloch] approached PPP worker and security overseer Akram Baloch in this regard.
The superintendent further said that since all the volunteers had worn the same uniform adorned with party flags, he had presumed that they were authorised PPP volunteers.
Weapons’ check not undertaken
“How could you presume that all of them were authorised PPP volunteers? Did the police check them to ensure that they were not carrying any weapons, since it was not allowed [under the security plan]?” questioned the tribunal.
The witness conceded that none of the apparent volunteers had been checked by the police. He hastily added that the volunteers had come to the airport in a bus and PPP leader Mr Durrani had informed the police that they had been checked and were unarmed.
SP Baloch testified that the crowd had been at a distance of about 50 feet from the float and the rush prevented the maintenance of a larger distance.
In response to another question, he said that the police took measures and did not allow any unauthorised person to approach the float carrying Ms Bhutto from the airport to the Karsaz bridge.
“But don’t you feel it was a security lapse that 300 to 400 people were there but they were not checked?” asked the court. This prompted additional advocate-general Arshad Lodhi to intervene and try to explain, but the tribunal made it clear that it wanted to know whether a security lapse had taken place.
Referring to a requirement of the security plan that the “armed gunmen of political leaders would not be allowed to travel with the motorcade,” SP Baloch conceded that this had not, in fact, been checked.SP Baloch further testified that he did not see the head of the suspected suicide bomber at the scene of the blasts. “Due to panic and confusion, people were running away here and there and therefore, I could not further concentrate except that I went towards the injured persons,” he said.
‘No plainclothesmen visible’
Meanwhile, a police inspector who had been on duty in front of the Oct 18 procession also testified before the tribunal.
Inspector Tasdeeq Waris Shaikh informed the tribunal that his duty had been to ensure that no one approached Ms Bhutto’s float from the front.
He deposed that he had followed the security plan given to him. A hostile crowd rushed towards the police when the first blast occurred, he said, adding that he had not seen any plainclothesmen and could not say whether any such force had been deputed along the route.
Responding to a query, he said that he had no knowledge as to whether the 300 to 400 PPP volunteers had been checked for weapons. He further deposed that “I did not see any suspect on the route.”
“As security was your responsibility, what measures had the police taken in such a large crowd?” asked the tribunal. Inspector Shaikh said that the police made efforts to keep the public away from the float. “What was Ms Bhutto’s position at the time of the blast,” asked Justice (retd) Dr Ghaus.
The inspector said that since he was deputed towards the front of the procession, he could not see Ms Bhutto’s position. However, he added, during the journey from the airport to Karsaz he had seen the assassinated leader standing behind bullet-proof glass.
The tribunal later instructed its liaison officer, SSP Niaz Khoso, to produce two more witnesses at the next date and adjourned proceedings until Jan 7.
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