Suspect in Shahbaz Bhatti case walks free

A man booked for being allegedly involved in the murder of former Pakistan minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti more than a year ago, was acquitted by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) last week.

In the ATC-II hearing held by Special Judge Rana Masood in Rawalpindi, Zia-ur-Rehman was acquitted and the case disposed of after no evidence was found against Rehman.

Zulfiqar Maloka, defense counsel, withdrew his bail plea after the court made its decision.

Rehman was arrested in Dubai over his alleged involvement in the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti, who was assassinated outside his residence in March 2011.

According to sources, the police investigation has been marred by various delays, obfuscations and false leads, including bizarre accusations that the killing was done by a relative because of a family feud over property rights.

The issue has been surrounded by mystery, but several of those said to credibly be prime suspects were allowed by delays to flee to the Middle East to avoid arrest.

Of the two suspects who fled to Dubai, Zia-ur Rehman and Malik Abid, Zia-ur Rehman was caught in February, but at the trial he was acquitted by the judge at the Anti-Terrorism Court because the court was petitioned to release him as allegedly no evidence against him was found.

Headlines in Pakistani papers a year after Bhatti's death said 'Three arrests and releases later, Bhatti's probe trail goes cold.'

Sources now say the recent acquittal makes four acquittals and four releases in the as-yet unsolved murder case.