FCO Newsfile: Pakistan

Following the death of Ms Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan on 27 December, both the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, and Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, have given statements.

On 4 January a UK Police team of technical experts arrived in Pakistan to assist the Government of Pakistan in the investigation of the death of Benazir Bhutto.

On 2 January President Musharraf announced that elections in Pakistan would be held on 18 February.

On 27 December Pakistan People's Party leader, Ms Benazir Bhutto, was murdered during a political rally. David Miliband made a statement saying 'I am deeply shocked by news of the latest attack in Rawalpindi which has claimed the life of Benazir Bhutto and killed at least 15 other people. My thoughts and sincere condolences go to Ms Bhutto's family at this terrible time, as well as to the families of all those who lost their lives in this senseless attack'.

On 29 November President Musharraf announced that the state of emergency came to an end on 16 December.

On 3 November, President Musharraf declared a state of emergency and the suspension of Pakistan's Constitution. He has issued a new Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO), the two key features of which are:

• the suspension of Constitutional articles guaranteeing security of the person, safeguards on arrest and detention, freedom of movement, assembly, association and speech, and equality of citizens; and,
• the removal of the Supreme Court’s authority to issue any order against the President, Prime Minister or any person exercising powers or jurisdiction under their authority, or to challenge the PCO.

Pakistan and the UK

Foreign Secretary David Miliband visited Pakistan in July 2007 and President Pervez Musharraf came to the UK in September 2006.

Read our country profile on Pakistan

Related links

British High Commission Islamabad

The high commission for Pakistan, London

Pakistan travel advice