Convicted police officials challenge Benazir murder case verdict

RAWALPINDI: Saud Aziz and Khurram Shahzad, two police officials sentenced to prison in the Benazir Bhutto murder case, have challenged the verdict of the anti-terrorism court (ATC).

According to sources, Aziz and Shahzad have challenged the verdict in the Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi bench after receiving a copy of the detailed judgment on Wednesday.

Last week, the ATC announced its verdict in the murder case of the former prime minister after nearly ten years.

5 accused acquitted, 2 sentenced, Musharraf declared absconder in Benazir murder case

The ATC had reserved verdict on Wednesday in the nine-year-old case

Aziz, who was the police chief in Rawalpindi at the time of Bhutto’s assassination, and Shahzad, the Rawal Town SP, were sentenced to 17 years each and ordered to pay a fine of Rs0.5 million each for their negligence in investigating the case properly.

The verdict announced by ATC Judge Asghar Khan at Adiala Jail also cleared five accused in the case and declared former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf an absconder.

Sources said the police officials' petition will be taken up next week. 

FIA lawyers seeks to challenge verdict

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) lawyers have sought approval from agency officials to also challenge the verdict.

FIA lawyers have sent a letter to the director general stating that there is concrete evidence against the five accused who were released. According to the letter the prosecution has a strong case and should file an appeal against the verdict.