Pakistan under pressure after deadly attack

Pakistan’s government came under renewed pressure on Saturday to bring stability to the country after one of the bloodiest bombings in more than two years killed at least 89 people.

The attack at volleyball game on Friday suggested al Qaeda-linked Taliban insurgents were focussing more on bombing large crowds of civilians to inflict maximum casualties and spread terror, instead of attacking hard targets such as security forces.

The blast is certain to put Pakistan’s efforts to contain increasingly brazen militants under greater scrutiny and alarm ally Washington, which sees Pakistan as the key frontline state in the war against a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan.

A day after the militant blew up his SUV at the volleyball field in the northwest village of Shah Hassankhel, rescuers and villagers were still searching for victims.

“We still believe there are more bodies buried in the rubble and the death toll may go up,” said Zahid Mohammad, a villager, who was among dozens of people helping rescuers.

“People are digging through the rubble with their hands and spades and there is no heavy machinery to help us. It is just pathetic.”

Embattled President Asif Ali Zardari is under pressure on a number of fronts, both at home and from abroad. He is at odds with Pakistan’s all-powerful military which decides security policies, and his aides could face revived corruption charges.