Murtaza Bhutto

REPORT WAS PREPARED AS THE AUTHORITIES
WANTED IT
KARACHI, Jan 7, 1997: Testifying before the judicial tribunal, investigating
the causes of murder of Mir Murtaza Bhutto, on Tuesday a retired radiologist
said the second report of the medical board on the injuries suffered by ASP
Shahid Hayat was modified "as the authorities wanted." The witness who
made this statement was Dr Matin Ahmed Khan, a former professor of
radiology and head of the department of radiology of Dow Medical College,
Karachi, who was one of the members of the medical board along with five
other doctors.
Dr Khan retired in the middle of last year, was re-appointed on contract in
the same position and was removed from service on Nov. 11 by the present
caretaker government. He told the tribunal, comprising Justice Nasir Aslam
Zahid, a judge of the Supreme Court; Justice Amanullah Abbasi, and Justice
(Dr) Ghous Mohammad, judges of the High Court of Sindh, that he also
served on the two other medical boards set up by the government to examine
the wound on the left foot of inspector Haq Nawaz Sial, his post-mortem six
days later, and in the case of the injuries on ASP Shahid Hayat's left leg.
Dr Khan was asked by the tribunal if any effort was made to prepare any
other report other than the original one which was written in the handwriting
of Dr S. M. A. Shah of A. O. Clinic. He said the report first prepared and
signed by all 10 members of the board was unanimous.
Q: Did you sign the second report which was typed later and altered in
contents of facts and opinion?
A: Yes. I don't remember when I signed the second report, perhaps it was
after 3-4 days later.
Q: Did you compare the two reports?
A: I questioned the police surgeon why there are omissions and additions in
the typed version of the copy. Tribunal: If changes were to be made, then
proper methods should have been adopted, giving notice to all the members
after informing the government about it.
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