Benazir assassination case: FIA asks court to declare Musharraf proclaimed absconder

RAWALPINDI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday requested the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi to declare former President Pervez Musharrraf proclaimed absconder and confiscate the former president’s assets in the country.The request was made at the hearing of the Benazir Bhutto assassination case at Adiala Jail. The FIA also presented a copy of the British government’s letter in which it has refused to hand over Musharraf to Pakistan, stating that the two governments do not share any formal extradition treaty. The FIA had submitted a formal request with Interpol to secure the extradition of Musharraf from the United Kingdom.The FIA informed the court that Musharraf had deliberately been trying to escape court proceedings and therefore should be declared an absconder.The court asked for the record of warrants issued for the arrest the former president and adjourned the hearing till May 7.The ATC had earlier issued three non bailable arrest warrants for Musharraf in the Benazir murder case. He is thought to be a key witness and an enabler of the plot to kill former prime minister Benzair Bhutto.