During the course of proceedings, counsel for the prosecution and defence concluded their arguments over two witnesses, Magistrate Ahmed Masood Janjua and police officer (SHO) Aijaz Shah. Following conclusion of arguments, the bench issued summons for American Mark Siegel, who was also Benazir Bhutto's friend, to appear before the court on January 5 to record his statement. Siegel is a key prosecution witness in the case.
Siegel had alleged that former president General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) had threatened Benazir Bhutto with dire consequences if she returned home before the 2008 general election. A statement, recorded by Siegel in the US, says Benazir Bhutto, received a telephone call from Musharraf at a time when she was with Siegel. In the conversation that followed, the general allegedly told Benazir Bhutto that he would not be responsible for her security if she returned before the election.
The court further issued summons to other five witnesses, including Professor Dr Musadiq, Rescue 1122 In-charge, Dr Abdur Rehman, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Yaseen Farooq, and Superintendent Police (SP) Ashfaq Anwar. The hearing was adjourned till December 22.