KARACHI - All the six accused belonging to Pakistan Peoples Party Shaheed Bhutto group (PPP-SB) were exonerated of charges of killing Mir Murtaza Bhutto, Ashique Hussain Jatoi and six other workers and supporters of their own party. Dr Mazhar Ali Memon, Asghar Ali, Mehmood Bhallai, Akhtar Mirani, Ghulam Mustafa and Asif Jatoi faced trial. They were accused of firing at a police party, which cautioned cavalcade of Mir Murtaza Bhutto on Sept 20, 1996 when he was returning from Yousuf Goth Karachi after addressing a party meeting. The prosecution alleged that on the orders of Mir Murtaza Bhutto, his men heavily armed with automatic weapons opened fire at the police party resulting in the killing of eight persons (of their own side). Only two police officers including complainant of this FIR, the then SHO Clifton PS Haq Nawaz Sial and ASP Shahid Hayat sustained minor injuries. Announcing the verdict on Friday, Additional District and Sessions Judge East, Aftab Ahmed exonerated the accused of charges of murder attacking a police party with intent to kill, possessing illegal arms etc. The detailed 100-page judgement will be available later, TheNation learnt here.