Bhutto homage at Jinnah mausoleum

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Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has made a symbolic visit to the Karachi mausoleum of the founder of the nation, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

The visit was to have been the climax of her return to the country on Thursday after eight years of self-imposed exile.

But a double bomb attack on her procession left 139 people dead.

The government has ruled out her request for foreign experts to help investigate the assassination attempt.

She said at the weekend that international technical experts could help identify those behind the deaths of 139 people.

On Saturday, newspapers in Pakistan carried photographs of the head of a suspected suicide bomber propped up on a white sheet.

The man looks to be in his 20s, unshaven with curly hair and hazel eyes. The BBC's Barbara Plett in Karachi says it is believed he was an Islamic militant.

No-one has admitted targeting Ms Bhutto's triumphal procession through Karachi.

Pro-Taleban militants, who have threatened to send suicide bombers to kill her, are the prime suspects, although she has accused ex-army officials of involvement, too.

Hospital visit

"When Pakistan was formed, people sacrificed their lives, as they did in the attempt on my life last week," Ms Bhutto told journalists at the Jinnah mausoleum.

KEY DATES 06 Oct: Presidential polls held 17 Oct: Supreme Court resumes hearing challenges to Musharraf candidacy 18 Oct: Benazir Bhutto's homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held by mid-January <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7052310.stm">Implications of bombs</a> <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7052570.stm">Attack highlights instability</a>

"I have come to pay homage to the father of the nation. We believe in the power of the people."

Meanwhile Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao has ruled out the need for outside help in finding out who was behind the attacks.

"Our own law enforcement agency personnel are capable of investigating the incident," he said, quoted by AFP news agency.

"In the past also they have investigated attacks on presidents and prime ministers and the culprits were traced."

Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) says that the officer heading the investigation should be replaced, alleging that he was present when Ms Bhutto's husband was tortured while in detention.

<a name="story"></a> <a class="bodl" href="#map">Map: Scene of the attack on the convoy</a>

Mr Sherpao said the government was considering banning processions in the run-up to parliamentary elections due in the coming months. On Sunday, Ms Bhutto visited some of those injured in the bombings in hospital.

Karachi police have questioned three men arrested in Punjab province in connection with the attacks.

'More attempts'

Thursday's bombers struck Ms Bhutto's motorcade as she greeted jubilant supporters on her return to Pakistan.

The extremists are worried about my return because it promises change... And they would like to kill me Benazir Bhutto <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7051993.stm">From joy to horror</a> <a class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3696&edition=1">Send us your comments</a>

She left the country to escape prosecution on corruption charges.

Ms Bhutto has been negotiating with President Pervez Musharraf over a possible power-sharing deal.

The US has backed such an accord, amid concerns about the military's inability to defeat Islamist militants and Gen Musharraf's rising unpopularity.

Ms Bhutto has told the BBC that she will still contest the general elections but will have to change "the manner in which I campaign".

She said the Pakistani government had passed her a report suggesting there would be further attempts on her life.

Ms Bhutto has said she sent President Musharraf the names of three former military officials she accuses of involvement in the attack, though the government says it has yet to see any evidence.

Mrs Bhutto was travelling from the airport to the Quaid e Azam mausoleum where she was due to address a rallyHer slow moving convoy was attacked near the recently built Karsaz bridge on the Sharah e Faisal, the main road into the city centreFollowing the blasts, scores of wounded were taken to the nearby Jinnah medical centre

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