Musharraf’s Bail Approved For Abdul Rashid Ghazi Murder Case

ISLAMABAD: Additional Session Judge, Wajid Ali on Monday approved the bail petition of former president General (retd)Pervez Musharraf’s in the Abdul Rasheed Ghazi murder case.

Speaking to the media, Musharraf’s counsel said the former president would remain in the country. According to the counsel, bail had been granted against two surety bonds of RS 100,000.

Earlier on Friday, the court had reserved its decision in the case following arguments presented by both sides.

Under the leadership of Ghazi and his brother the mosque and the madrassa attached to it challenged the polices of the Pakistani government; in particular the military operations against pro-Taleban militants in Pakistan’s tribal areas. A fatwa issued by the mosque describing militants killed during the campaign as ‘martyrs’ led to a rapid deterioration in relations between Pervez Musharraf and Ghazi. The Pakistan government claimed Ghazi was involved in a plot against the president, the army and parliament; however this was later refuted by the government minister for religious affairs.

The Pakistan Army decided to take an action against Ghazi, and it was begun as Pakistan Army Special Forces (SF), Pakistan Army Rangers, and Special Service Group (SSG) stormed the mosque. The Pakistan Ministry of Interior reported that Ghazi was killed on 10 July 2007 during Operation Silence. According to the ISPR the body of Ghazi was found in the basement of the Lal Masjid.