Interpol may be asked to arrest Musharraf

KARACHI, Pakistan, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Pakistan plans to ask Interpol to arrest its former President Pervez Musharraf in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said.

Malik, briefing the Sind provincial state assembly on the status of the investigation into the killing of the former prime minister, blamed the Pakistani Taliban for the attack in which Bhutto died, the Daily Times reported.

"Both Pervez Musharraf and militants based in (Pakistan's tribal regions) considered Benazir Bhutto a threat for themselves as she was a strong proponent of democracy and democratic values," he was quoted as saying.

Bhutto died in an explosion and gun battle Dec. 27, 2007, during an election rally near Rawalpindi. Musharraf, who was president at the time, has been accused of failing to provide adequate security for her.

"The government is moving for his (Musharraf's) red notice," Malik said, CNN reported.

The red notice is the Interpol's international arrest warrant.

"We will get him through Interpol to Pakistan," Malik said.

Musharraf, Pakistan's former army chief, resigned as president in 2008 and has been living in London and Dubai since then. He has denied any involvement in Bhutto's death.

Asif Ali Zardari, husband of Bhutto, is now Pakistan's president.