The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters, Islamabad

A Pakistani intelligence chief, regarded as a dangerous enemy by assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, will quit his job before her party comes to power at the head of a new coalition. Bhutto wrote to President Pervez Musharraf before her assassination on December 27, identifying four members of the civilian-military establishment who should be investigated if she was killed. Ijaz Shah, head of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), one of Pakistan's three security services, was believed to be one of the people Bhutto suspected of conspiring against her. Bhutto survived a suicide bomb attack during her homecoming procession through Karachi in October to mark the end of more than eight years of self-exile. At least 139 people were killed in the attack. Shah, a retired army brigadier regarded as close to Musharraf, held a "farewell meeting" with caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro on Monday. "He sent his resignation several days back. It's been accepted and yesterday he paid a farewell call on the prime minister," a senior government official told Reuters.