This article appeared in the weekly Friday Times May 7, 2010 issue
The United Nation’s fact-finding report on Benazir Bhutto’s tragic murder is a revealing document. It not only discusses the dubious role of security agencies, but also highlights the security lapses by the PPP. The PPP’s own security arrangements for the former Prime Minister were inadequate to say the least and one of the pressing questions is the black Mercedes that was missing during the time of the blast. In this car several influential people were present, there names are Faratullah Babar, Mr Babar Awan and Mr Rehman Malik and General (Retd.) Tauqir Zia.
The report mentions that “Ms Bhutto’s convoy usually would include two main vehicles - an armoured white Toyota Land Cruiser and a bullet-proof black Mercedes-Benz while other vehicles for used for the security staff. The senior PPP leaders would choose one of the main vehicles for a trip, and the others would accompany as a decoy and back-up vehicle.”
Recently Rehman Malik was in the news explaining that he was one of passengers in the black Mercedes, which was in close proximity to the Land Cruiser which was driving Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007). Further, at the time of the blast, he witnessed the murder take place, said Rehman. In contrast, Babar Awan who was in the same car claimed to have seen Benazir Bhutto appearing from the sunroof of the Land cruiser and then disappearing after firing. These stories don’t match with the UN report.
To be specific, the UN report says, “Indeed, the Commission has not seen this vehicle in the many video images of the exit area it reviewed. Despite the acknowledgement of some occupants of the vehicle - Black Merc - that they felt the impact of the blast, the Commission finds it incredible that they drove all the way to Zardari House, a drive of about 20 minutes, before they became aware that Ms Bhutto had been injured in the blast.” As a matter of fact, the black bullet-proof Mercedes-Benz car was “the first to leave the parking area”.
The PPP was not the only one responsible for Benazir Bhutto’s security, but the preparations made for Benazir’s security, as stated by the UN report, were inadequate. “It was characterized by disorganization and lack of professionalism”. To make things worse, each member that was interviewed by the UN commission was told conflicting stories.
In this context, the UN report refers to the letters that Mr. Rehman Malik wrote to the authorities. He explained his role as the key liaison official with security and intelligence agencies; and that he was deeply involved in the overall management of Ms Bhutto’s security. However, the report notes that, “his [Rehman’s] departure from the scene at Rawalpindi after the attack left Benazir Bhutto’s damaged vehicle in the lurch. For commission, the disappearance of the only back up vehicle, in which Mr. Malik and other senior PPP leaders rode, was a serious security lapse.”
The report suggests that after moving a safe distance away from the scene of the attack, the occupants of the vehicle should have waited to see for themselves if Ms Bhutto’s vehicle was able to depart safely and if there was a need for a back up vehicle. As a back-up measure, their vehicle would have been a necessary part of the convoy to ascertain whether Ms Bhutto’s vehicle was damaged or not.
Sections of Pakistani media are suspicious about the mysterious role of both Rehman Malik and Babar Awan. It seems that the murder case will take several turns in the coming days since the Chief Protocol Officer of Mohatarma Benazir Bhutto, Ch. Aslam, has knocked the door of Lahore High Court for lodging a second FIR. In this regard, the legal advisor to Benazir’s chief protocol officer has alleged that the present Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the current Law Minister Babar Awan were involved in Benazir’s assassination. But he PPP’s current leadership trusts Mr. Malik and Awan and has expressed full confidence in them. It is yet to be seen how the things will unfold in the days ahead. But one thing is for sure: after the release of the UN report, the Establishment is on the defensive but so are the key PPP Ministers.
Saleeem Shahab is the Editor monthly Techno Biz and a prolific write. He can be reached here.