Karachi, Mar. 9 : A "busy" Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), has succeeded in convincing a court here through his lawyers to postpone the hearing of the Murtaza Bhutto murder case to April 12.

According to the Daily Times, Shahadat Awan, Zardari's counsel told the District and Sessions Judge East that his client was "busy in meetings", and therefore, should be excused from attending the court till at least the afore mentioned date.

"Zardari is in Islamabad and is busy in important parleys with other political parties to bring an era of true democracy; for the supremacy of the judiciary; to find ways to restore the deposed judges; to give a package to the Parliament to improve conditions for the Judiciary and make it independent from the Executive; to form the government, both at the center and in the provinces; and other critical national issues. He may be exempted from appearance," the counsel prayed the court.

The court allowed the request and put off proceedings till April 12.

The case pertains to the alleged shootout between the Karachi city police and Mir Murtaza Bhutto, his comrades and PPP-SB security guards in 1997. The case has been pending trial since then, and so far only prosecution witnesses over allegations of a conspiracy have been examined.

The case has been constantly adjourned since Zardari had left Pakistan for medical treatment over four years ago. Some of the accused, including the then DIG Karachi Dr Shoaib Suddle, enjoy senior-most bureaucratic positions, while others have passed away. (ANI)