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Friday, November 08, 2013Musharraf still at mercy of court due to incomplete challan
Kiyya Qadir Baloch
ISLAMABAD: Police have not exonerated former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf in Lal Masjid cleric Ghazi Abdul Rasheed’s murder case and the Islamabad IGP termed all such “speculations uncalled for and baseless”.
Police have placed Musharraf in column 2 of the incomplete challan, leaving the former army chief at the mercy of court.
IGP Sikandar Hayat told the media that interim challan of the case was presented in court according to the available record and statements of the witnesses.
According to the challan, “the complainant in the said case, Haroon Rasheed, son of Ghazi Rasheed, was neither the eyewitness of the murder nor could he produce tangible evidence against Musharraf”.
Hayat said that media reports had given an impression that the nominated accused, Musharaf, was innocent which is “totally untrue and against the facts”.
He said that a high-level investigation team, under the supervision of a DIG rank officer, investigated the case and gave full opportunity to the complainant to produce proofs and witnesses before the investigation team but only “five out of 19 witnesses joined the investigation whose statements were recorded and made part of the record”.
He added that apprehensions regarding pressure on Islamabad Police were “totally wrong” as the case was investigated by a team of senior officers. “Burden of proof was on the complainant and accused was also arrested in the case who latter on applied for bail in the competent court of law, which was accepted in light of the available proof and record according to law”.
The IGP also said that Islamabad Police have made “effective” security arrangements for the month of Muharam. He said that security would be given to all Muharram events and processions. He said that in view of the prevailing law and order situation in the country, security has been placed at high alert. “All police officers have also been directed to conduct search operations in their respective areas.”
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk