Pakistan blast toll hits 35

The death toll in a massive suicide blast in Pakistan’s militant-plagued north-west reached 35, officials said today, as the country prepared for the widower of assassinated ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to take over as president.

The attack yesterday demonstrated the severe militant threat facing the Muslim nation and President-elect Asif Ali Zardari, who overwhelmingly won MPs’ votes the same day as the blast and was expected to be sworn in by Tuesday.