Pakistan's Bhutto leaves for Dubai

KARACHI: Former Pakistan Premier Benazir Bhutto left for Dubai on Thursday, officials said, in a surprise move after cancelling the trip overnight due to rumours of an impending state of emergency.

"I am going to Dubai to see my children and ailing mother," Bhutto was quoted as telling members of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) at Karachi airport by senior party official Agha Siraj Durrani.

"I will return to Pakistan on November 8," Durrani quoted her as saying.

Durrani said that Bhutto left by Emirates Airlines flight EK-607.

Karachi airport officials confirmed that the two-time prime minister had departed.

"She has just left," a senior airport official said on condition of anonymity.