Pak SC asks Musharraf to surrender in Benazir Bhutto murder case

Islamabad, Apr 10 (ANI): The Pakistan Supreme Court has said that former president General (retired) Pervez Musharraf should surrender himself before the court in accordance with the law in the Benazir Bhutto murder case.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Parvez was hearing a plea seeking orders for registration of a second First Information Report (FIR) against Musharraf and 12 others in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case.

The bench also directed all respondents to file their replies by April 16.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar told the court Musharraf has not given any reply in the case despite being issued summons.

He pointed out that arrest warrants had been issued for Musharraf and added the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court had declared him an absconder in the case due to his continuous absence, The Nation reports.

Justice Tariq Parvez noted that the apex court had also issued summons for Musharraf on the FIA's application, which according to reports had already been received by him.

Justice Chaudhary observed that Musharraf should hand himself over to the authorities and appear in the court while Justice Khilji Arif Hussain noted that the absconder should first surrender before the court according to law. enazir Bhutto was killed in a public rally in December 2008. (ANI)