Musharraf vows support for Scotland Yard in Bhutto death probe

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The detectives from Scotland Yard, now in Pakistan to assist with the probe into the recent assassination of Benazir Bhutto, would be provided maximum support and information, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said Saturday.

"Maximum support and information would be provided to the Scotland Yard team for them to carry out the investigation independently," local TV Dawn News quoted Musharraf as saying.

Bhutto died after inflicting lethal injuries in a gun and bomb attack on Dec. 27 as she left the Liaqat Bagh park in Rawalpindi shortly after addressing supporters there.

The six-member Scotland Yard team arrived in Islamabad Friday upon the request of Pakistan to help local investigation authorities facilitate the probe.

The government said Bhutto died fracturing her skull against the open sun roof as she tried to duck, an account rejected by members of Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari, among others from PPP, had demanded an international investigation under the supervision of the United Nations, which the government rejected.

Zardari, who took over the leadership of the PPP after Bhutto's death, urged the U.K. and the United States to endorse his demand for an UN investigation into Bhutto's death.

The Scotland Yard team on Friday examined the bullet-proof vehicle that carried Bhutto when she was attacked, and on Saturday afternoon arrived at the Liaqat Bagh park in Rawalpindi, the site of Bhutto's assassination nine days earlier.

They were expected to visit Rawalpindi General Hospital later on Saturday, where Bhutto died after inflicting lethal injuries.

Certain members of Pakistan People's Party had accused "elements in the government" of having a hand in the incident.

Musharraf vehemently denied any indication of government involvement in the incident, arguing it had nothing to gain.

The Interior Ministry said Saturday the Scotland Yard detectives would be provided all documents, videos and photographs of the last moments of the public meeting addressed by Bhutto.

"There will be no influence on the detectives of Scotland Yard," said Javed Iqbal Raja, an interior ministry spokesman.

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The team of detectives from Scotland Yard on Saturday afternoon arrived at the Liaqat Bagh park in Rawalpindi, the site of former prime minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's assassination nine days earlier.

"The road leading to the park has been corded off and the experts arrived here just now," Xinhua correspondent at the scene said, adding that reporters were not allowed to approach the detectives, who had made no comments on the case. Full story

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Thursday denied allegations that the military was involved in the killing of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

He told a news conference that he had asked British investigators to help probe into Bhutto's death. Full story

LONDON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- A British police team of technical experts will assist the Government of Pakistan in the investigation of the death of Benazir Bhutto, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Wednesday.

"At the request of President Musharraf, the Prime Minister (Gordon Brown) has agreed to send a UK Police team of technical experts to assist the Government of Pakistan in the investigation of the death of Benazir Bhutto," Miliband said in a statement. Full story

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was killed by "terrorists," Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said in a speech broadcast to the nation on state television on Wednesday.

Musharraf said he was "sad and angry" as the public over the recent assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Full story

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called on his fellow people Wednesday to maintain peace and stability.

"I appeal to people to maintain peace and stability," said the president in a televised address to the nation. Full story

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of people paid tributes Thursday in front of a portrait of Pakistan's former prime minister Benazir Bhutto at Liaqat Bagh park, where she was assassinated a week ago.

Out on the streets in the military town of Rawalpindi, it was crowded with cars and motorcycles honking just like anywhere else, showing the return of law and order across most parts of the country. Full story