Islamabad, Oct 20 : President Pervez Musharraf and Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto have expressed their resolve to fight extremism and terrorism.

In a telephonic conversation, both leaders agreed that there is a need for the entire nation to unite to rid the country of terrorism and extremism.

The telephonic contact was made by Musharraf to condole and strongly condemn the act of terrorism in Karachi that killed over 139 people.

"Musharraf expressed his shock and profound grief over the incident and prayed for the safety and security of Bhutto," the Daily Times quoted the presidency, as saying.

Musharraf directed the law-enforcement agencies to submit their report within 48 hours.

Musharraf also expressed his resolve that all possible steps would be taken and a thorough investigation would be carried out to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to justice.

At least 139 people were killed and hundreds injured late on Thursday night as suspected suicide bombers tried to attack Bhutto's convoy on her return to the country after eight-year self-imposed exile.

Two explosions went off a minute apart shortly after midnight near Karsaz close to the vehicle Bhutto was travelling in, at the head of a procession of hundreds of thousands of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) supporters who had flooded the streets of Karachi to welcome her.

The attack reportedly bore the hallmarks of al Qaeda and resembled assassination attempts by militants linked to the terrorist network on President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in recent years. (ANI)