Larkana, Pakistan: Guarded by security personnel bristling with AK-47 and M-16 rifles, former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto on Sunday visited the family of a supporter slain during an assassination attempt on her last week.
But with security fears still high following the attack in Karachi that killed 139 people hours after she returned to Pakistan, ending eight years of self-imposed exile, it was an impromptu visit and her movements have been curtailed.
Bhutto travelled to the town of Larkana, a few kilometres from the ancestral village of Garhi Khuda Baksh where she is staying, and also visited the families of two other supporters who died during her exile.
Television footage showed trucks packed with heavily armed security guards parked outside one home she visited as fervent supporters danced and waved black, red and green flags of her Pakistan People's Party.
"Today I came to Larkana to see the families of martyrs. I promise we will not leave these families alone because their loved ones sacrificed their lives for the cause of democracy," Bhutto told reporters.
Some supporters stood on rooftops, others lined the streets and threw rose petals. However, it was expected to be a short foray outside the security of her compound.
"Most of the day she will spend at home because all the guests will call on her," said Jamil Soomro, her provincial media coordinator. "She will meet with local people and party workers and some relatives."
He said no details of Bhutto's movements would be given beforehand for security reasons.
