Security tight as Bhutto plans visit to father’s grave

FORMER Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s supporters were yesterday making the final preparations to welcome her to her ancestral village today.

They are hoping to give her a heroine’s welcome when she arrives to pray at the tomb of her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto —

Pakistan’s first popularly elected leader, who was hanged three decades ago.

Villagers in Garhi Khuda Baksh had been expecting Ms Bhutto last week, but the suicide bomb attack in Karachi forced a change of plan. Since the blast, which killed 143 people at a mass procession staged to greet her, Ms Bhutto has spent most of her time indoors behind stringent security.

Details of today’s trip near the city of Larkana 270 miles north-west of Karachi, remain secret.

Security officials said hundreds of police have been sent to the areas she is likely to visit.

“We have also summoned a bomb disposal squad to examine the sites and more contingents of police will be deployed tomorrow to further strengthen the security,” said Larkana police chief Nisar Ahmed Channa.

Meanwhile, police in Karachi today reported “developments” in their investigation into the bombing, but gave no details.

Mrs Bhutto’s party has called the inquiry “inept” and she has accused elements in the government and security services of trying to kill her.