London: A five-member crack team of British counter-terrorism police is expected to reach Islamabad by the weekend to assist the Pakistani security agencies probing the assassination of former Premier Benazir Bhutto which has been marred by controversies and government flip-flops.

The Scotland Yard said it would send a five-member team of officers from the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command to Pakistan. "The officers will travel to Pakistan as soon as possible," a spokesman of Scotland Yard told reporters. "The Pakistan authorities will continue to lead the investigation into Bhutto's death," he said.

Foreign Minister David Miliband said the team would leave for Pakistan by the weekend. "At the request of President Musharraf, the Prime Minister has agreed to send a police team of technical experts to assist the government of Pakistan in the investigation of the death of Benazir Bhutto," he said in a statement.

British authorities, however, said the five officers will help with forensic science examinations and other matters, but will not become embroiled in the investigation's politics.

In the statement, issued after Pakistan announced the deferment of Parliamentary polls, Miliband voiced hope that authorities would use the extra time to ensure the polls are "transparent and fair." "The UK believes that free and fair elections are vital for the future of Pakistan," he said.

"The UK is already closely engaged with the Government of Pakistan on counter-terrorism cooperation.... The Prime Minister and President Musharraf have agreed to further deepen this aspect of our relationship and officials will travel to Pakistan to take this forward," he said.

Source : PTI