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Pervez Musharraf declared absconder, 17 years in jail for 2 cops in Benazir Bhutto assassination case

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Benazir bhutto

An Anti-Terrorism court in Rawalpindi ordered that all properties owned by former Pakistan President General (retd) Musharraf should be seized, five suspects – all operatives of banned terror outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) acquitted

An Anti-Terrorism court in Rawalpindi, on Thursday, declared former Pakistan president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf an “absconder” and ordered that the State seized all properties owned by him. The court’s order came while it declaring its verdict in the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was killed in a suicide attack on December 27, 2007 while campaigning for her party at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh.

Musharraf, who is the key accused in Benazir’s assassination, has been living in London since November 23, 2008, under a self-imposed exile. He had resigned from the post of Pakistan’s president on August 18, 2008 after facing threats of being impeached when Bhutto’s political outfit, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) swept the federal elections in the country earlier the same year, riding on a sympathy wave due to its leader’s death.

Pervez MusharrafThe Rawalpindi anti-terror court also awarded a total of 17 years in jail term for Saud Aziz, who was police chief of Rawalpindi when Bhutto was assassinated, and Khurram Shahzad, a former Superintendent of Police (SP) at Rawal Town. Aziz and Shahzad have each been awarded 10 years in prison under Section 119 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and seven years each under Section 201 of the PPC. They have also been fined Rs 5,00,000 each with the caveat that if they fail to pay this fine, they will be liable to spend another six months in jail. The two, who were out on bail, were present in the court premises for the pronouncement of the verdict and were immediately taken into custody by the police.

Five suspects, Rafaqat Hussain, Husnain Gul, Sher Zaman, Aitzaz Shah and Abdul Rashid, all alleged operatives of the banned terror outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have been acquitted on all charges in the case.

Aziz had been charged of abetting the murder of Benazir Bhutto as he ordered the transfer of then Rawalpindi superintendent of police Ashfaq Anwar from Benazir Bhutto’s rally to Sadiqabad. The prosecution also blamed him for not conducting an autopsy of the slain PPP chief.

Benazir Bhutto at her Liaquat Bagh rally minutes before she was assassinated

Benazir Bhutto at her Liaquat Bagh rally minutes before she was assassinated

ATC judge Asghar Khan, had on Wednesday, reserved his verdict in the case after recording closing arguments by the prosecutor, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and counsels for the accused.

In January 2008, shortly after Bhutto’s assassination, the Rawalpindi police had registered a FIR in the case and trial of the five TTP suspects had started in the following month. The case was later handed over to the FIA after PPP won the 2008 general election.

In his concluding arguments before the Rawalpindi court, counsel for FIA, Mohammad Azhar Chaudhary had reiterated the agency’s stand that the assassination of Bhutto was ordered by Pervez Musharaff. Chaudhary had rejected claims that the TTP acted alone in executing the former Pakistan Prime Minister and had rubbished reports about a telephonic conversation between an ex-TTP chief and a cleric in which the former hailed the 5 suspected terrorists – who were acquitted by the court on Thursday – for executing the attack successfully.

The FIA counsel claimed that Musharraf, through his close aide former director general of the National Crisis Management Cell Brigadier (retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema, had developed the “fake evidence to save himself and mislead the investigators”.

Chaudhary also blamed Saud Aziz for his involvement in the killing, asserting that Aziz did not allow an autopsy to be conducted for Bhutto despite the medico-legal procedure being required under protocol.

According to Dawn News, Ghanim Aabir, the counsel for Saud Aziz, refusing the allegation levelled by the FIA counsel argued that Anwar had been transferred following the firing incident on motorcade of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif on the Islamabad Expressway around the same time when Bhutto was on her poll campaign trail in Sadiqbad and Rawalpindi. Aabir also claimed that arrangements for the autopsy had been made by Aziz but the procedure was not conducted as the consent of Bhutto’s husband, Asif Ali Zardari had not been received. He further said that a post-mortem on Bhutto’s body was not required since doctors had already identified the cause of her death as it was obvious.

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Trump says Iran agrees to never have nuclear weapons, rejects $300 billion fund claim

Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to never possess nuclear weapons under a proposed framework, while dismissing reports that the US would provide Tehran with a $300 billion reconstruction fund.

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Donald Trump statement

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran has agreed to a commitment that it will never develop or possess nuclear weapons, describing it as a central element of a proposed understanding between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking about the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Trump also rejected reports suggesting that the United States planned to provide Iran with a reconstruction or investment package worth $300 billion. He described such claims as false and said no such arrangement had been agreed.

The remarks come as discussions continue over a broader framework aimed at easing tensions between the two countries. According to Trump, the understanding would ensure that Iran remains without nuclear weapons while opening the door for future engagement if the terms are respected.

Questions remain over final agreement details

Despite Trump’s comments, several aspects of the proposed arrangement remain unclear because the full text of the agreement has not yet been made public.

Reports indicate that negotiations have involved discussions on sanctions relief, access to frozen assets and potential economic measures linked to Iran’s compliance with future commitments. However, the exact scope of these provisions has not been officially confirmed.

Another key issue is how compliance would be monitored. Details regarding inspections, verification mechanisms and the handling of Iran’s existing nuclear materials have yet to be fully explained.

Further negotiations expected

Officials have suggested that discussions on technical nuclear matters could continue even after the signing of an initial memorandum of understanding. Such talks would likely focus on implementation and verification measures.

The proposed framework is being closely watched internationally, as any agreement between the United States and Iran could have significant implications for regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts.

For now, Trump has maintained that the core objective remains clear: ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon while denying reports that Washington has committed to a multibillion-dollar reconstruction fund.

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USA start FIFA World Cup 2026 with dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay

The USA opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey with a dominant 4-1 victory against Paraguay, earning three valuable points in Group D.

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The United States kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in impressive fashion, securing a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their Group D opener at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the hosts delivered an attacking display to collect all three points and make an early statement in the tournament. The match also marked a significant occasion as the USA hosted part of the World Cup opening festivities before turning attention to the action on the pitch.

The Americans took control early and maintained pressure on Paraguay throughout the contest. Their attacking movement and clinical finishing helped them establish a comfortable lead, while Paraguay struggled to contain the hosts’ pace and creativity in the final third.

USA seize control after fast start

The United States settled quickly and found success going forward, creating several opportunities through quick passing and aggressive pressing. Their attacking approach paid off as they built momentum and gradually stretched Paraguay’s defence.

Paraguay attempted to respond and managed to get on the scoresheet, but the South American side found it difficult to match the intensity shown by the hosts. The USA continued to create chances and added further goals to put the result beyond doubt.

With the victory, the United States moved to the top section of Group D and gained an important boost in confidence ahead of their upcoming fixtures in the tournament.

Strong opening result for hosts

A winning start is particularly important in a World Cup campaign, and the USA achieved exactly that with a comprehensive performance. The result gives the hosts valuable momentum as they prepare for the next stage of group play.

For Paraguay, the defeat means they will need a strong response in their remaining group matches to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds alive.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the tournament featuring an expanded format and more participating teams than previous editions.

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Jaishankar raises deaths of three Indian sailors with Marco Rubio, lodges strong protest

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed India’s strong protest to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over an attack that killed three Indian sailors, stressing that lethal action against commercial shipping is unjustified.

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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday spoke with Marco Rubio and conveyed India’s strong protest over recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf that resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors.

According to reports, Jaishankar told Rubio that the use of lethal force against commercial shipping was not justified and underlined India’s serious concerns regarding the safety of civilian seafarers operating in the region. The conversation came days after three Indian mariners were killed in an attack on the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello near the Oman coast.

The incident has triggered diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Washington. India had earlier summoned a senior US diplomat to register its concerns and seek accountability following the attack. The Ministry of External Affairs has emphasized that actions endangering civilian shipping undermine maritime safety and stability in a strategically important region.

India reiterates concern over maritime safety

India has stressed the importance of protecting civilian seafarers and ensuring the security of international maritime commerce. Officials have expressed concern over multiple incidents involving Indian crew members in West Asian waters in recent days.

The deaths of the three sailors have also sparked calls within India for stronger diplomatic efforts to safeguard Indian nationals working aboard commercial vessels in conflict-affected maritime zones.

Background of the incident

The attack involved the tanker Settebello, which was operating near Oman when it was struck during ongoing tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran and maritime operations in the Gulf region. Initial reports indicated that Indian crew members were among those affected, and later confirmations established that three Indian sailors had died in the incident.

India has maintained that civilian shipping should not become a target and has continued diplomatic outreach to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers working across global shipping routes.

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