Detective taken off Bhutto case

Ms Bhutto escaped the bombs uninjured

The detective leading the inquiry into Thursday's suicide attack on Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has been taken off the case, officials say.

Ms Bhutto's supporters had complained that Manzur Mughal was present when her husband, Asif Zardari, was allegedly tortured by police eight years ago.

Sindh government officials say that Mr Mughal has now "disassociated himself" from the investigation.

Around 136 of Miss Bhutto's supporters were killed in the Karachi attack.

Two bombs exploded as her convoy travelled through the streets of the southern city following her return to the country after eight years of self-imposed exile.

No doubt

"The investigation team will be formed anew after Manzur Mughal disassociated himself from the investigation in view of the objections raised by Benazir Bhutto on the chief investigator's credentials," Sindh Home Secretary Ghulam Muhammad Mohtarem said.

Ms Bhutto and her supporters within the Pakistan People's Party have accused elements in the government and security services of being involved in the attack.

The government has rejected Ms Bhutto's request that international experts help in the investigation.

Mr Mohtarem said the provincial government did not doubt Mr Mughal's competency and honesty.

He said the decision had been taken solely to ensure the investigation was not marred by accusations of bias.