District and Session Judge East Karachi Zafar Ahmed Khan Sherwani on Saturday reserved order on acquittal application of ex-Senator and spouse of former Prime Minster Benazir Bhutto Asif Ali Zardari in Murtaza Bhutto murder case.
Asif Zardari and others co-accused, mostly of them police officials, are charged with killing Murtaza Bhutto, brother of Benazir Bhutto and Chairman of Pakistan People Party (SB) along with his seven associates including his close aide Ashiq Jatoi, on September 20, 1996 near his residence in Clifton, Karachi when he was coming after attending the party meeting from Surjani Town area Karachi.
Defence counsel Barrister Azizullah K Shiekh contended that prosecution failed to prove conspiracy charges and supporting evidences against his client in Mir Murtaza Bhutto murder case.
He submitted prosecution could not prove that at what time, what place and where applicant met with other co-accused and hatched conspiracy to assassinate Mir Murtaza nor connection between his client and police officials was showed.
He pleaded court to exonerate his client from killing charges as despite lapse of several years prosecution could not be able to conclude the case and produce evidence against his client.
Special Public Prosecutor Ilyas Khan vehemently opposing the defence application said prosecution has very strong evidence to prove to establish conspiracy for killing Murtaza Bhutto and others.
Besides, prosecution has evidence that accused tried to destroy the evidence against them.
He contended that at this stage trial it would be premature to decide the application and prayed court to dismiss the same giving opportunity to prosecution to prove the guilt of accused.
He said case is made out against the accused and prosecution has to produce further evidence to prove its case.
The court after hearing arguments of counsels reserved the order on application for August 30, 2005 as well as the hearing of main case.