ISLAMABAD, July 5: A Pakistani court today formally indicted Asif Ali Zardari, husband of the former Pakistani premier, Benazir Bhutto, and 18 others for their involvement in the sensational murder of Murtaza Bhutto last September.

The district and sessions judge, Shah Nawaz Awan, read out the charges of conspiracy and abetment against Zardari and 18 other accused in the case inside the central prison in Karachi.

After framing of the charges, the court adjourned the hearing till July 19 All the accused in the case including Zardari were present in the court and pleaded not guilty.