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Bhutto Killing: Deadly Blow to Pakistan Stability

Posted Dec 27, 07 1:51 PM CST in World 

(Newser) – The assassination of Benazir Bhutto deals a devastating setback to hopes for political stability in Pakistan. The death today of the nation's most charismatic opposition leader is likely to trigger an outpouring of anti-government sentiment, political analysts tell the Wall Street Journal, and force postponement of next month's scheduled elections. It raises fears that unrest will trigger declaration of military rule.

President Pervez Musharraf called for unity, describing Bhutto as a fighter against extremism: "The biggest threat to Pakistan and this nation is from these terrorists," he said, declaring 3 days of mourning. The assassination also puts the US strategy for the war on terror in disarray, as only a strong government can curb the Taliban resurgence in northern Pakistan that is supplying troops and arms to Afghanistan, reports the BBC.

Sources BBC, Wall Street Journal

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Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto waves to her supporter during an election campaign in Mirpurkhas, Pakistan on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007. Bhutto sharply criticized the rule of Musharraf, who...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's opposition leader Benazir Bhutto waves to supporters during her election rally in Lodhra, near Multan, Pakistan, on Tuesday, Dec 25, 2007. Bhutto accused President Pervez Musharraf of failing...   (Associated Press)
In a file photo Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf talks to reporters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Nov. 14, 2007. Musharraf will lift Pakistan's state of emergency on Saturday only after changing...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto wears a shawl presented by her supporters, a gesture of respect, during her visit, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, Peshawar, Pakistan, for the election campaign....   (Associated Press)
Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto shouts "Long live Bhutto" slogans during an election campaign in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan on Monday, Dec. 24, 2007. Bhutto said her agenda was "to empower...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto waves to her supporter during an election campaign in Mirpurkhas, Pakistan on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)   (Associated Press)
Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, right bottom, waves to supporters as she addresses the crowd during an election campaign rally in Hyderabad, Pakistan on Monday, Dec. 17, 2007. Any attempt...   (Associated Press)
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Pakistan • Afghanistan • Pervez Musharraf • Benazir Bhutto • assassination • Islamic extremism


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