Now, accused in Pak Minorities minister Bhatti's murder case freed for lack of evidence

Rawalpindi, May 5 (ANI): As in most cases bordering to the sensitive issue of blasphemy in Pakistan, an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi has released an accused in the high profile Shahbaz Bhatti blasphemy murder case, due to lack of evidence.

The court disposed off the case after the Islamabad police told the court that no evidence could be found against Zia-ur-Rahman proving his involvement in the murder, reports The News.

Former Pakistan Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti was assassinated by unidentified gunmen on March 2 last year as he left his mother's home in a residential area in Islamabad. Police said the attackers fired at least 25 bullets at his vehicle.

Before his assassination, Bhatti had defiantly campaigned for the release of Aasia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who was sentenced to death for allegedly committing blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.

ATC Special Judge Rana Masood had earlier released the other accused in the case, Abid Malik , following a testimony delivered by Bhatti's close relative. Bhatti's family had earlier alleged that Malik killed the former over a property-related matter.

In an earlier statement Interior Minister Rehman Malik had said that the two assassins are activists of the banned outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba. (ANI)