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 on
Wednesday.
A protester holds a
poster of slain Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in
Islamabad Jan. 2, 2008. Pakistan's parliamentary polls, originally
scheduled for Jan. 8, would be postponed to Feb. 18, the election
commission 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.
The team is due to leave Britain by the end of the week, the
foreign secretary said.
"As the terrible events of last week show only too clearly,
Pakistan faces a very serious threat from extremism. The UK is
already closely engaged with the Government of Pakistan on
counter-terrorism cooperation. The Prime Minister and President
Musharraf have agreed to further deepen this aspect of our
relationship, and officials will travel to Pakistan to take this
forward," the foreign secretary said.
Commenting on President Musharraf's confirmation that elections
in Pakistan will be held on Feb. 18, Miliband said: "The UK
believes that free and fair elections are vital for the future of
Pakistan. In the light of today's announcement that elections are
to be held on February 18th, it is vital that the Government of
Pakistan makes full use of the extended period before elections are
held to ensure that all necessary arrangements are put in place so
that they are transparent and fair. "
Welcoming the Government of Pakistan's previous commitment to
allow election observation and hope that a comprehensive
international election monitoring effort will take place, Miliband
hoped that all parties will participate in the elections.
(Xinhua News Agency January 3, 2008)
