Murtaza Bhutto

A: Nobody told me at any stage to do that. We were told it was an encounter
in the beginning but later events provided evidence that it was a conspiracy. I
did not believe that it was an encounter in which Sajjad Jhakro fired the first
shot.
Tribunal: When did you first come to know that it was a conspiracy?
A: When for the first time on Sept 26, I had called my intelligence chiefs, but
this has been going on since June. My brother could not have been killed
unless there was an assurance from the other side that they will be protected
and that sort of assurance must have come from no less than the president.
The proceedings began with questions from Akhtar Ali G. Kazi, the counsel
nominated by the government of Sindh for rendering assistance to the
tribunal. He asked:
Q: Is it correct that the then chief minister, Abdullah Shah, had offered to
resign on account of the incident?
A: The CM had asked to resign around Sept 26. At this point. the chairman of
the tribunal remarked that the tragedy is that nobody resigns in Pakistan. Mr
Kazi continued:
Q: Do you consider CM House was a safe place for the protection of Asghar
Ali, an accused-cum-complainant?
A: I do consider the CM house a safe place.
Q: Do you know he (Asghar) was under arrest?
A: I knew he was under arrest, but I don't know on what charges.
Q: Is it correct that Asghar Ali was made to sign papers to cover up certain
officials?
A: It is not correct.
Q: Is it correct that a meeting took place in the chief minister's house a day
before the incident in which Asif Zardari was also present?
Murtaza Bhutto; Copyright © www.bhutto.org
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