Islamabad, Jan 18 (IANS): A special anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi Saturday issued summons to 10 witnesses in the murder case of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

The case was heard by anti-terrorism court judge Pervaiz Rasool Joya in the premises of the Adiyala jail, Dawn online reported.

The judge also issued a notice to prosecution on the bail applications filed by arrested accused Mohammad Rafaqat, Hasnain Gul and Aitzaz Shah. The judge later, adjourned the hearing till Jan 25.

Bhutto was assassinated at an election rally in Rawalpindi Dec 27, 2007, when Pervez Musharraf was the president of Pakistan. She was killed after addressing a rally in the city.

In August 2013, the former army chief was indicted in Benazir’s murder, but was later acquitted by the court.

Bhutto's assassination was blamed by Musharraf's government on the Taliban.

A 2010 UN report said Bhutto's death could have been prevented and Musharraf's government failed to provide enough protection for her.

Bhutto was the daughter of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was executed in 1977 after being ousted in a coup. She was imprisoned shortly after that coup but went on to be twice elected as prime minister.

Others accused in the case include former city police officer of Rawalpindi Saud Aziz, and then superintendent of police Khurram Shahzad, Sher Zaman and Abdul Rasheed.