Rehman Malik had significant role in Bhutto's security management: Report

Lahore, Apr 19(ANI): The Benazir Bhutto Commission Report has found that Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who was in charge of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, had a significant role in her security management.

Malik told the commission that he was just the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader's "national security adviser", but the commission report said "occupants of the car, not least Malik, should realise that they have been found wanting."

"It is now up to them to decide whether or not falling on their swords is the right thing to do," The Dawn quoted the Commission's report, as stating.

The commission report also makes clear that the primary blame for the inadequate security around Bhutto must lie with then-President General Musharraf's government.

"Despite considerable and valiant efforts by individual PPP members to protect Bhutto, the PPP as an organisation was inadequate to handle the challenges. There was no person in overall charge of the PPP's provision of security. As a result, the PPP's security for Bhutto was characterised by a lack of direction and professionalism," it said.

Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007 after departing a PPP rally in Rawalpindi, two weeks before the scheduled Pakistani general election of 2008, where she was a leading opposition candidate.

The PPP has held Musharraf for not providing adequate security cover to Bhutto despite having information about the impending threat to her life.

They have also insisted that steps would be taken to bring back Musharraf, if he was found responsible for the tragic incident. (ANI)