Addressing a press conference in Bilawal House here on Friday, the PPP Chairperson said that poor security arrangements by the government was the basic reason behind the loss of 143 persons and injuries to others in the blasts on Thursday night.
'Why were the streetlights switched off?
'I am not accusing the government. I am accusing people, certain individuals who abuse their position. Who abuse their power'... Says she had known an attempt on her life was coming and she expected more
Apprehends a man in police uniform will try to hit her in Larkana.
The streetlights of Sharea Faisal had been switched off at the time of attacks, making the security measures extremely difficult, Benazir said. She claimed that Raja Pervez Ashraf wrote two letters to the Federal Interior Ministry to provide foolproof security, but it failed to ensure proper security to her entourage.
She demanded an urgent inquiry as to why the streetlights turned off. "I'm not accusing the government, but the fact is that certain individuals have abused their positions and powers," she added. "We were scanning the crowd with the floodlights, but it was difficult to scan the whole crowd in the absence of streetlights", she said.
She revealed that a neighbouring country had informed her about the impending attacks, and added: "I was already informed about attack in Karachi and also knew that another attack would be made on me in Larkana." She said she was informed that a man in police uniform would try to hit her in a rally at Larkana, and added: "I have shared these information with General Musharraf." "General Musharraf assured me of making combined efforts to combat extremism," Benazir said, and added that al Qaeda and Taliban were responsible for extremism in the country.
The PPP Chairperson told the opposition parties that this attack was a message to all political parties that those who would continue to struggle for the democracy would be hit in the same way. The former prime minister claimed that two attackers were behind the bombing and security guards found a third man armed with a pistol.
Paying tributes to the PPP workers, killed in the incident, she said: "The party workers saved my life by sacrificing their own lives. These attacks were not made on me but on the solidarity of Pakistan," she added. "I have seen over 50 bodies of my guards (Janisaran-e-Benazir) after the blast in police mobile," she said.
She said that threats were made against her by certain people, who had gained a lot through dictatorship. "Terrorists groups always grow up in military regimes like Hathora Group and others," she said. "I have been told that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) could made attacks on me, but I do not believe it," she said, and added that "I know my enemies.
"I had provided the government the names of three persons, who would be held responsible if something happens to me," Benazir said. She thanked President Pervez Musharraf, MQM leader Altaf Hussain, Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif, Awami National Party (ANP) leader Asfandyar Wali, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Khursheed Mahmud Kasuri and others, besides US State Department and leaders of Italy, France and other countries for sympathising with her phone.
REUTERS ADD: Benazir Bhutto said she would carry on her struggle for democracy, despite an attack on her motorcade that killed 143 people as she returned home after eight years of exile.
"We are prepared to risk our lives. We're prepared to risk our liberty. But we're not prepared to surrender this great nation to militants," Bhutto, wearing a black armband, told a news conference. "The attack was on what I represent. The attack was on democracy and the very unity and integrity of Pakistan."
Bhutto said she had known an attempt on her life was coming and she expected more. She also alluded to enemies in government who were spreading militancy and plotting against her. "I am not accusing the government. I am accusing people, certain individuals who abuse their positions. Who abuse their powers," she said.
"The first blast was caused by a hand grenade. The second was the suicide attack," said Manzoor Mughal, a senior police official. "The attacker ran into the crowd and blew himself up." Mughal said the head of the suspected bomber had been found, and it was estimated he had 15 to 20 kg of explosives strapped to his body. Typically, the upward force from a blast blows off the head an attacker.
Bhutto said there were also shots fired at her vehicle during the attack, while a man armed with a pistol and another wearing a suicide belt were arrested earlier.