UK mansion plagues Bhutto's husband

Rockwood House: a source of contention in Surrey

By Susannah Price in Islamabad

The Pakistani Government has displayed antique carvings, gifts and a photograph which it says prove that the husband of the former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, owned a huge mansion in southern England.

Pakistan's national accountability bureau is investigating whether the mansion, known as Rockwood House, and other properties were bought with money from illegal commissions on business deals.

Benazir Bhutto and her husband have both denied buying the house.

But Islamabad officials say the artefacts now on display were all found in the mansion and would be used as evidence to establish that the property belonged to Miss Bhutto's husband, Asif Ali Zardari.

Corruption case

The collection is the latest stage in the government's attempts to build up a case against Mr Zardari for corrupt business practices.

An investigating officer said the items, which include a huge photograph of Benazir Bhutto and her son, a large brass plate, a tea set and Buddhist carvings, had been looked after by a contractor, who agreed to hand them to the Pakistani Government.

The police will also investigate how the five Buddhist carvings, which have apparently been verified as genuine antiques, were taken abroad.

Bhutto: a turbulent career

Mr Zardari has spent the past five years in prison and is still contesting several charges against him.

Miss Bhutto left the country two years ago shortly after being found guilty of corruption and lives in London and Dubai.

Earlier this year the Supreme Court set her conviction aside and ordered a retrial, although she was later sentenced to prison in her absence for failing to appear in court.

Benazir Bhutto says the charges are an attempt to stop her returning to Pakistan. The government says she will face prison if she does come back.