'Ban on Bhutto' leaving Pakistan

Ms Bhutto says she has not been given proper security

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been banned from leaving the country, her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) says.

PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar told the BBC the party had written to the interior ministry over the issue.

Ms Bhutto survived an assassination attempt on Thursday on her return to the country after years of self-imposed exile. Nearly 140 died in the attack.

Correspondents say the government often bans opponents from leaving Pakistan.

Ms Bhutto's family did not accompany her on her return to Pakistan.

'Powerful figures'

Ms Bhutto's supporters have been highly critical of the government and members of the security forces since Thursday's bomb attacks in Karachi.

Two bombs exploded as Ms Bhutto was leading a cavalcade past hundreds of thousands of jubilant PPP supporters on her return to the country.

She has said that "very powerful figures" were behind the assassination attempt and that the government had not given her proper security.

There has been no word from the government on the ban.

Ms Bhutto, who has twice served as prime minister, left Pakistan to escape corruption charges.

Her advisers and President Musharraf have been in protracted negotiations on a power-sharing agreement.

Gen Musharraf has come under heavy pressure from the United States to reach a deal with her to increase the legitimacy and popularity of his government.

He seized power in a coup in 1999. His popularity has been declining, partly because of the military's inability to defeat pro-Taleban militants who control swathes of territory along the border with Afghanistan.

BBC