ISLAMABAD, Jan 1: Former Sindh chief minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said the beneficiary of Benazir Bhutto’s murder were the Pakistan People’s Party and Asif Ali Zardari.

Talking to newsmen here on Tuesday, he alleged that the PPP had hired criminals for protection of Ms Bhutto as Mr Zardari himself recently said that some of his Punjabi jail mates had taken charge of her security.

He said the inquiry commission should investigate into the incident keeping in view the beneficiaries of the murder.

Mr. Rahim termed the assassination a conspiracy to dismember Pakistan as, he said, separatist slogans were raised by PPP supporters at the grave of Ms Bhutto.

He said the PPP had let loose its gangs of criminals who were entering homes of its opponents, harassing the inmates and looting and plundering the households.

He alleged that the criminals hired by some PPP leaders had unleashed a reign of terror, killing, injuring and looting their opponents in Sindh.

He said that the rumours had been spread about the murder of several politicians of Sindh, including Muttahida Qaumi Movement deputy convenor Dr Farooq Sattar.

Mr Rahim demanded postponement of the elections till the restoration of law and order in the province.

He said even if the conditions were favourable in other provinces, election could not be held in a free and fair manner in Sindh.