PPP to seek 'stern' action against Musharraf following UN Benazir assassination report

Islamabad, Apr.18 (ANI): Backing the UN enquiry commission's report over former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has held former President General Pervez Musharraf responsible for the tragic incident.

A meeting of PPP's core committee, which was chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari and was attended by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and several top party leaders, blamed Musharraf for not providing adequate security cover to Bhutto despite having information about the impending threat to her life.

"There is no doubt that Musharraf was responsible for Benazir's murder and would have to face legal proceedings," Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said.

Babar said the UN commission's report has endorsed the PPP's position that Musharraf wanted to "eliminate" Bhutto.

"The PPP has reiterated its resolve to ... bring to justice all those, including Musharraf ... involved in the criminal act," The Daily Times quoted Babar, as saying.

He said the PPP core committee has asked Gilani to take appropriate legal action following UN commission's report.

According to PPP insiders, the party has decided to take strong legal action against all government officials who failed to protect Bhutto.

The party has also decided to launch departmental action against officials responsible for making security arrangements in and around Liaqat Bagh on December 27, 2007, the day Bhutto was killed in a gun and bomb attack while she was returning after addressing a election rally.

However, the party is undecided on Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who was Bhutto's security advisor, and other political leaders, whose name appear in the commission's report. (ANI)