ISLAMABAD, March 3: Former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party Benazir Bhutto has condemned the terrorist attack on Ashura procession in Quetta, resulting in the death of over 40 mourners and injuries to dozens.

In a statement issued by the PPP Media Cell here on Wednesday the former premier said the incident was the failure of the government, the intelligence and the law enforcement agencies which called for a thorough probe, arrest of the killers and punishment to those who perpetrated this heinous crime.

According of official sources one of the attackers has been arrested by the law enforcement agencies. She said that it was important that the life of the attacker was protected so that the real perpetrators of the crime could be unmasked.

She said in a previous similar attack in Quetta the lone surviving attacker was killed under mysterious circumstances leading to the burial of what could have been crucial evidence.

The exiled prime minister demanded setting up of a judicial commission to probe the incident and submit its report to the parliament within a week. Ms Bhutto said the government had miserably failed in its basic responsibility in protecting the lives of the people therefore, it should step down immediately.

The carrying of arms and weapons has been banned during Muharram in Quetta. It was therefore a gross failure of the regime and the agencies to apprehend the terrorists who used heavy weapons in the attack.

Ms Bhutto demanded an immediate arrest of the killers and punishment to them. She also demanded compensation to the members of the bereaved families. Meanwhile, the ARD chairman, and President of People's Party Parliamentarian, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, has also condemned the Quetta carnage.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday Makhdoom Amin Fahim said this incident proves that there was no writ of the government anywhere in the country.

He said the government, which is busy in hounding and chasing the political activists, had given free hand to the terrorists to carry out their heinous crime.

The country has been made a police state by the regime but even then such incidents are taking place, which is shameful and despicable, he added. Mr Fahim asked the government to arrest the culprits immediately so that they could be brought to justice.

He also demanded that the lone attacker, who has been arrested, should be protected because he may lead to unmask the real criminals behind this incident. He demanded of the government to resign immediately if it cannot fulfil the responsibility to save the lives and property of the citizens.

Our staff reporter adds: The Pakistan Muslim League-N has condemned the Quetta incident and termed it a proof of the government's failure and inability to protect the lives of citizens.

In a joint statement here on Wednesday, the PML-N secretary general, Saranjam Zamindar, and the information secretary, Mohammad Siddiqul Farooque, said the incident had exposed the government's tall claims, which it had been making before Ashura day regarding security arrangements.