Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has claimed that last week's suicide bomb attack at a mosque in Quetta was aimed at scuttling President Pervez Musharraf's achievements from his recent visit abroad.

"It may also be aimed at sabotaging the successful visit of President Pervez Musharraf to the United States, Britain, France and Germany," Jamali was quoted as saying at the Chaklala Air Force Base on his return from Quetta, where he had gone to review the security situation following the attack.

Fifty-three persons were killed in the attack that took place on July 4. Police have since detained 17 suspects allegedly involved with the bombing.

Jamali described the attack as pre-planned and "There is every possibility of a foreign hand behind it. Inquiries at the highest-level are going on and the government will unearth the hands behind this heinous crime."

Later, he met President Musharraf and is believed to have apprised him of his government's steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

An official news release said both Musharraf and Jamali condemned the incident and reiterated their firm commitment to end this scourge.

The two leaders were also reported to have exchanged views on Musharraf's four-nation visit.

Jamali is said to have felicitated Musharraf on his successful visits, saying that it had contributed to a better understanding with these countries. He expressed the hope that the visits would help to realise the long-term foreign policy and economic objectives of Pakistan.

ANI