Islamabad: Two potential suicide bombers have been killed in an apparently botched attack on a former minister, according to police.

The bombers died after the devices they were carrying exploded prematurely in the southern Punjab town of Haroonabad on Sunday.

Police said they believed Mohammad Ejaz ul Haq, a former religious affairs minister in President Musharraf's government was the target.

Ul Haq, had been staying at a house 200m from the blast site.

Haq is the son of late former military ruler General Mohammad Zia ul Haq, who executed Bhutto's father, former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, in 1979.