Karzai condemns assassination of Bhutto

KABUL: Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on Thursday condemned the assassination of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto and called it a "coward, terrorist act".

"With regret we received information that the brave daughter of Pakistan and brave daughter of Muslims was martyred in a coward terrorist attack today afternoon," Karzai told a news conference, hours after he had met Bhutto in Islamabad.

He said that he made a telephone call to Bhutto's husband and conveyed his condolence to her family and the people of Pakistan.

"Besides extending condolences to the family of the martyr I wish prosperity for Pakistan and the Pakistani people," Karzai said.

In a statement issued by Karzai's office, the Afghan leader said, "no doubt, the enemies of peace, stability and the prosperity of Pakistan and the Muslim world are behind the heinous crime."

In the statement Karzai also described her assassination as a big loss for Pakistan and the Muslims of the world.

"Mrs. Bhutto sacrificed her life for democracy, progress, welfare and prosperity of Pakistan and the region," the president noted in the statement. 

Karzai, in a two-day visit to Pakistan starting Wednesday, exchanged views with Benazir Bhutto Thursday morning during which Bhutto also expressed her hope of seeing a prosperous Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Bhutto, who returned to Pakistan some two months ago from an eight-year-long self-imposed exile, was busy in election campaign in Rawalpindi, a garrison town near Pakistani capital, when a gunman opened fire on her and later exploded himself. Over 10 other people were also killed in the suicide attack.