By IRNA
Islamabad : Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro on Friday ordered a judicial inquiry into the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad after chairing a special cabinet meeting, he said the inquiry would be headed by a High Court judge who would be appointed in consultation with the family of Benazir Bhutto and Pakistan Peoples Party leadership.
He said investigations of the inquiry would be made public.
Replying to a question, he said decision about postponement or otherwise of the general elections would be taken after consultation with major political parties including PPP and MMA.
The Prime Minister appealed to all political parties to sit across the table with the Government to take a decision in the interest of the country.
He said the cabinet decided to extend all possible cooperation to the family of Benazir Bhutto and the Peoples Party in connection with burial.
Replying to another question he said some people are expressing their sentiments through demonstrations but saboteurs and anti-state elements are also trying to take advantage of the situation.
He warned that the Federal and Provincial Governments would deal sternly with such elements and would not allow them to threaten life of the people or damage public and private property.
The Prime Minister said those indulging in violent activities are the same people who were behind the tragic incident and their objective is to destabilize the country. He said the Government would fulfill its responsibility to protect individual and public properties.
To a question he said the postmortem was not carried out at the desire of the family.
Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz told a questioner that the Prime Minister had ordered the provinces to deploy Rangers and Army at all important places and the personnel of the law enforcing agencies have reached in different areas. They would prevent any untoward incident and deal firmly with those making any mischief.
To another question the Interior Minister said the ministry was in touch with the People Party Chairperson and all possible steps were taken to prevent threat to her life.
He said on receipt of information on 21st of this month, the Ministry wrote a letter to Mr. Rehman Malik, the security advisor of Benazir, suggesting that the programmes of the party leaders might be restricted or changed.
In response Rehman Malik wanted provision of security assistance like jammers, increased security at the residence and during movement of Benazir Bhutto and arrangements at the venue of the public meetings.
He said a dedicated Senior Superintendent Police was also provided to her for twenty-four hour duty. He said necessary arrangements were made but the unfortunate incident took place outside the venue of the meeting.
He said five security personnel also killed in the tragedy.
To another question he said the jammers were provided by the province concerned and explained that these were not effective against suicide attack. These could only thwart a remote-controlled explosion.