Pakistan Says It Tried to Protect Bhutto

Pakistan's government dismissed former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's charge that high-ranking officials may have tried to kill her, saying Saturday that it had done everything possible to protect her triumphant return from exile.

Bhutto blamed al-Qaida and Taliban militants for the suicide bombing that missed her but killed 136 others Thursday. But she also hinted Friday that followers of former military ruler Gen. Zia ul-Haq - and possibly current government officials - could have been involved.

``I think we should stop playing blame games. The government provided the best possible security to her,'' Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim told The Associated Press. ``The trauma of the attack has made them say things which probably in coolness of things they will not repeat.''

``People's names have been mentioned and names have been hinted at without giving any reason or without giving any proof of their involvement, and that is unfair,'' he said.