The Scotland Yard said it would depute a small team of officers from the Metropolitan Police Service Counter Terrorism Command to Pakistan.

"The officers will travel to Pakistan as soon as possible," said a spokesman of Scotland Yard. He said the Pakistan authorities continue to lead the investigation into Bhutto's death.

Miliband said the team would leave for Pakistan by the weekend.

"At the request of President Musharraf, the Prime

Minister has agreed to send a UK Police team of technical experts to assist the government of Pakistan in the investigation of the death of Benazir Bhutto," he said in a statement.

"The team is due to leave the UK by the end of the week," he said.

In the statement, issued after Pakistan announced the deferment of parliamentary polls, Miliband voiced hope that authorities would use the extra time to ensure the polls are "transparent and fair."

"The UK believes that free and fair elections are vital for the future of Pakistan," he said. "I hope all parties will participate in the elections, that media freedom will be extensive and that all political prisoners are released."

"As the terrible events of last week show only too clearly, Pakistan faces a very serious threat from extremism.

The UK is already closely engaged with the Government of Pakistan on counter-terrorism cooperation.