New York: Pakistani officials have quietly begun consulting with other nations about the conduct of their investigation into opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's killing, despite a public insistence that they need no foreign help.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is under pressure to respond to accusations from Bhutto's aides of a government cover-up. While his government has rejected the idea of an outside investigation, Pakistan's consultations with other countries suggested it was concerned that its own probe to be seen as credible.

The US officials said it was till not entirely clear whether Pakistan was seeking international assistance in an investigation, or simply wanted backing from other countries as it conducts its own probe.

"The Pakistan Government is discussing with other governments as to how best the investigation can be handled," said one senior US Government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because no agreement had yet come from the discussions.

The suicide attack that killed Bhutto on Thursday sparked three days of unrest that have left more than 40 dead and ten of millions of dollars in damage, with security forces now authorised to shoot rioters on sight.

With the United States, the official said, the discussions about investigating Bhutto's assassination "are about what we can offer and what the Pakistanis want. Having some help to make sure international questions are answered is definitely an option."

Source : PTI