Key witness in Benazir Bhutto''s killing turns hostile

Islamabad, July 7

A key witness in Pakistan's former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's murder case has retracted from his earlier statement during cross examination before the Anti-Terrorism Court, media reported on Tuesday.

Prosecution witness, retired SSP Imtiaz, a key security official of Bhutto, on Monday withdrew his earlier statement before Judge Rai Mohammad Ayub Marth who is hearing the case.

Imtiaz told the ATC that a foolproof security cover was provided to Bhutto outside Liaqat Bagh where she was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack on December 27, 2007, Dawn reported.

He added all police officers were present on the scene to provide security to Bhutto.

Earlier, Imtiaz had claimed that Bhutto was killed due to inadequate security arrangements at Liaqat Bagh where the former chairperson of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) had delivered her last speech.

He had then said: "Had Benazir not appeared from sunroof of the vehicle, she might not have been killed." —IANS