ISLAMABAD – An anti-terrorism court was told on Saturday that Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, the police commando charged with killing of former governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer, insisted for being deputed as one of his bodyguards, The hearing was held in the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi during which the court recorded the statements of three witnesses. The moharrar, the officials assigning duties, of Elite Force Punjab Umer Farooq told the court that he deputed Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri on the security of Salmaan Taseer after his (Qadri) insistence.
Two other police officials, Muhammad Tanvir and Anwar Khan, also recorded their statements after which the judge, Raja Ikhlaq, adjourned further hearing till April 2. The AFP reported that the hearing was held behind closed doors at the high-security prison, in Rawalpindi, making prosecution lawyers and witnesses statements inaccessible to reporters who have to rely on what defence lawyers say. Meanwhile, around 150 people rallied outside the prison where the hearing took place, chanting slogans in support of Qadri.
