Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: Former Superintendent of Police Rawalpindi (SP) Khurram Shahzad who was accused in the Benazir Bhutto murder case was reportedly reinstated on Monday night as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Special Branch, according emerging reports.

Following a notification that circulated earlier on Monday, Khurram took over official duties after his reinstatement.

Lahore High Court (LHC) had sentenced Shahzad along with former Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Saud Aziz to 17 years in jail as well as instructing them to pay fines on August 31, 2017.

After the court announced its decision, Shahzad was taken to Adiala Jail meanwhile Aziz was also taken into custody.

The accused Shahzad and Aziz were granted bail upon orders of the LHC’s Rawalpindi bench on October 6, after their 17-year jail sentences and fines were suspended a day earlier and a notification was issued announcing Shahzad’s reinstatement as SSP Special Branch.

Jail sources stated that the LHC bench granted bail to the accused after they presented surety bonds worth Rs two million each.

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) had sentenced both cops to 17-years of imprisonment 10 years in prison under Section 119 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and seven years under Section 201 of the PPC by ATC judge Asghar Khan.

It is pertinent to mention here that the accused challenged their convictions and their counsels also argued before the bench that their clients were blamed for the episode but five suspected terrorists were pardoned.