Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

30 Dead In Pakistan Rioting

Bhutto supporters torch trains, shops; government cracks down

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 29, 2007 5:57 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – Rioting across Pakistan has left more than 30 people dead as mourners of Benazir Bhutto set the country ablaze. The Times of London reports that the police have exchanged fire with Bhutto supporters, and  have been ordered to shoot on sight in Bhutto's stronghold of Karachi. As  banks, shops, trains, and cars have been ransacked and burned, troops have brought Pakistan to a near standstill by blocking roads and suspending air and rail service.

The Musharraf government angered Bhutto supporters by claiming that she had died not from the a bullet or from shrapnel in the bomb, but from the impact of hitting her head against the sunroof of her car. The Bhuttos' lawyer called that "a pack of lies" employed to disguise the government's failure to protect her.

Angry protesters burn vehicles to protest the killing of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 in Karachi, Pakistan. Bhutto was shot and killed in a suicide attack on her vehicle in Rawalpindi.(AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
Angry protesters burn vehicles to protest the killing of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 in Karachi, Pakistan. Bhutto was shot and killed in a suicide attack on...   (Associated Press)
Angry protesters burn vehicles to protest the killing of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 in Karachi, Pakistan. Bhutto was shot and killed in a suicide attack on her vehicle in Rawalpindi. (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
Angry protesters burn vehicles to protest the killing of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 in Karachi, Pakistan. Bhutto was shot and killed in a suicide attack on...   (Associated Press)
Protesters block a road to condemn the assassination of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto during a demonstration in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. Benazir Bhutto's supporters rampaged through cities Friday to protest her assassination less than two weeks before a crucial election, ransacking banks and setting train stations...
Protesters block a road to condemn the assassination of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto during a demonstration in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. Benazir Bhutto's supporters...   (Associated Press)
Troops of Pakistan para-military force patrol in Larkana, a hometown of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Pakistan accused an Islamic extremist linked to al-Qaida on Friday of assassinating Benazir Bhutto and sent the army into the streets to quell a frenzy of violence by...
Troops of Pakistan para-military force patrol in Larkana, a hometown of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Pakistan accused an Islamic extremist linked to al-Qaida...   (Associated Press)
Local residents look at shops destroyed by angry protesters condemning death of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Larkana, a hometown of Bhutto on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Pakistan accused an Islamic extremist linked to al-Qaida on Friday of assassinating Benazir Bhutto and sent the army into the streets...
Local residents look at shops destroyed by angry protesters condemning death of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Larkana, a hometown of Bhutto on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Pakistan accused...   (Associated Press)
Troops of Pakistan para-military force patrol next to wreckage of two cars gutted Friday by mob in Larkana, a hometown of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Pakistan accused an Islamic extremist linked to al-Qaida on Friday of assassinating Benazir Bhutto and sent the army...
Troops of Pakistan para-military force patrol next to wreckage of two cars gutted Friday by mob in Larkana, a hometown of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Pakistan...   (Associated Press)
People look at shops destroyed by angry supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto in Larkana, a hometown of Bhutto on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Pakistan accused an Islamic extremist linked to al-Qaida on Friday of assassinating Benazir Bhutto and sent the army into the streets to...
People look at shops destroyed by angry supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto in Larkana, a hometown of Bhutto on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Pakistan accused an Islamic...   (Associated Press)
Shopkeepers visit their shops gutted by angry protesters after the assassination of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in the troubled city of Larkana on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Pakistan's government asserted Friday that al-Qaida was behind the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, and offered the transcript of a conversation as...
Shopkeepers visit their shops gutted by angry protesters after the assassination of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in the troubled city of Larkana on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Pakistan's...   (Associated Press)
A passenger train which was set on fire by angry protesters Friday, Dec. 28, 2007 in Larkana, Pakistan condemning the death of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto . Bhutto was assassinated on Thursday by a suicide attacker in Rawalpindi. (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
A passenger train which was set on fire by angry protesters Friday, Dec. 28, 2007 in Larkana, Pakistan condemning the death of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto . Bhutto was assassinated...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More on the dispute over the cause of death
Voice of America

 
Pakistan • Benazir Bhutto • riots

More Newser Stories

Pakistanis Recover After Riots

Phone Call Ties al-Qaeda to Bhutto Killing

Ex-Police Chief Indicted in Bhutto Assassination

Raid Also Killed Osama Son, Heir Apparent

Pakistan Court: Find Musharraf
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne