ATC seeks reply on significant reduction in Musharraf’s bank accounts

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday sought a reply from the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) on a significant reduction in amount of former president (r) General Pervez Musharraf’s frozen bank accounts. An ATC heard a case of Benazir Bhutto murder case. During the hearing, FIA special prosecutor Khwaja Imtiaz and FIA Station House Officer (SHO) Azmat Mahmood appeared before the court and appologised for previous hearing. The FIA provided the Musharraf’s property details in the court. In the details, the former president owns one farm-house, five plots and more than eight bank accounts. The court, taking a strict notice of news, has sought reply of FIA special prosecutor as to how there was a significant reduction in the amounts Musharraf’s frozen bank accounts. “How is there a reduction in the bank accounts from 2016?” the court asked the prosecutor, seeking a reply explaining the activity in the frozen bank accounts. “Why is there a difference in details of the bank accounts provided two years ago and the current amount in the accounts?” the judge questioned. The ATC asked the FIA how and when was cash withdrawn? While directing the prosecutor to inform the court of the former president's transactions, the court adjourned the hearing of the case until February 15. In a previous hearing of the Benazir Bhutto murder case on December 15, the court had issued arrest warrants for FIA special prosecutor and FIA Station House Officer (SHO) for failing to appear in court and not providing details of Musharraf's assets. They were again summoned on January 15 (today). In its four-point charge sheet, the FIA had accused Musharraf of hatching a conspiracy, in connection with the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto outside Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on December 27, 2007. Earlier, the Supreme Court closed the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case against former president Pervez Musharraf, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and former attorney general Justice (r) Malik Mohammad Qayyum.