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Tense Pakistan set to bury Bhutto Tense Pakistan set to bury Bhutto
(about 1 hour later)
The body of the assassinated former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto has been flown to her home village in Sindh for burial, amid ongoing violence.The body of the assassinated former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto has been flown to her home village in Sindh for burial, amid ongoing violence.
President Pervez Musharraf appealed for calm after she was killed at an election rally on Thursday.President Pervez Musharraf appealed for calm after she was killed at an election rally on Thursday.
But angry Bhutto supporters took to the streets, notably in Punjab and Sindh. At least 11 deaths were reported.But angry Bhutto supporters took to the streets, notably in Punjab and Sindh. At least 11 deaths were reported.
The killing was condemned worldwide, with the UN Security Council describing it as a reprehensible act of terrorism.The killing was condemned worldwide, with the UN Security Council describing it as a reprehensible act of terrorism.
US officials called for the parliamentary election scheduled for 8 January to go ahead as planned, but correspondents say the assassination has raised a huge question mark over the poll. Plans for parliamentary elections on 8 January still stand, caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro said on Friday, amid doubts that the vote would go ahead after the death of the leader of the largest opposition party.
International reactionInternational reaction
Ms Bhutto's political rival and fellow former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, reacted to news of her death by announcing that his party, the Muslim League, would boycott the vote. Ms Bhutto's political rival Nawaz Sharif, also a former primer minister, announced that his party, the Muslim League, would boycott the vote in response to the attack.
"I demand that Musharraf quit power, without delay of a single day, to save Pakistan," he told reporters on Thursday.
He also called for a nationwide strike on Friday, which the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says is being closely observed in some parts of the country.He also called for a nationwide strike on Friday, which the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says is being closely observed in some parts of the country.
The Asia Times reported that one of their correspondents had been telephoned by the al-Qaeda commander in Afghanistan, Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, who said the network was behind the attack.The Asia Times reported that one of their correspondents had been telephoned by the al-Qaeda commander in Afghanistan, Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, who said the network was behind the attack.
But the Pakistani Interior Ministry said it was not aware of any specific claim of responsibility.But the Pakistani Interior Ministry said it was not aware of any specific claim of responsibility.
Final speechFinal speech
Ms Bhutto, 54, was leaving an election rally in Rawalpindi, standing in the open sunroof of a car, when a gunman shot her in the neck and chest.Ms Bhutto, 54, was leaving an election rally in Rawalpindi, standing in the open sunroof of a car, when a gunman shot her in the neck and chest.
Seconds later, the attacker blew himself up, killing at least 20 people.Seconds later, the attacker blew himself up, killing at least 20 people.
Ms Bhutto was taken to hospital in the northern city, where she was declared dead.Ms Bhutto was taken to hospital in the northern city, where she was declared dead.
In pictures: Protest furyIn pictures: Last journeyWhat next for Pakistan?In pictures: Protest furyIn pictures: Last journeyWhat next for Pakistan?
Supporters of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) later carried her simple wooden coffin to a waiting ambulance, which took it to Rawalpindi's military airport.Supporters of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) later carried her simple wooden coffin to a waiting ambulance, which took it to Rawalpindi's military airport.
It was accompanied on board a military aircraft by Ms Bhutto's husband Asif Zardari and their three children, who had earlier flown to the capital, Islamabad, from Dubai.It was accompanied on board a military aircraft by Ms Bhutto's husband Asif Zardari and their three children, who had earlier flown to the capital, Islamabad, from Dubai.
After arriving at Sukkur airport, the coffin was transferred to a helicopter and taken to Ms Bhutto's ancestral family home in Ghari Khuda Baksh, near Larkana, in the southern province of Sindh.After arriving at Sukkur airport, the coffin was transferred to a helicopter and taken to Ms Bhutto's ancestral family home in Ghari Khuda Baksh, near Larkana, in the southern province of Sindh.
Thousands of mourners have converged there, where she is expected to be buried after Friday prayers at about 1300 (0800 GMT) next to her father, former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was overthrown in a military coup by Gen Zia ul-Haq in 1977 and executed two years later.Thousands of mourners have converged there, where she is expected to be buried after Friday prayers at about 1300 (0800 GMT) next to her father, former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was overthrown in a military coup by Gen Zia ul-Haq in 1977 and executed two years later.
After Gen Zia died in an explosion on board his aircraft in 1988, Ms Bhutto became one of the first democratically elected female prime ministers in an Islamic country.After Gen Zia died in an explosion on board his aircraft in 1988, Ms Bhutto became one of the first democratically elected female prime ministers in an Islamic country.
Ms Bhutto was twice prime minister of Pakistan, from 1988 to 1990, and from 1993 to 1996. She was sacked on both occasions after being charged with corruption.Ms Bhutto was twice prime minister of Pakistan, from 1988 to 1990, and from 1993 to 1996. She was sacked on both occasions after being charged with corruption.
Now we know why Ghandi cried Margaret Mollick, Fort Worth Texas USA Have your sayNow we know why Ghandi cried Margaret Mollick, Fort Worth Texas USA Have your say
She returned from eight years of self-imposed exile in October following a power-sharing agreement with President Musharraf, who granted an amnesty.She returned from eight years of self-imposed exile in October following a power-sharing agreement with President Musharraf, who granted an amnesty.
Shortly after her return, she survived bomb attacks on her convoy in the southern city of Karachi that killed more than 130 people.Shortly after her return, she survived bomb attacks on her convoy in the southern city of Karachi that killed more than 130 people.
At Thursday's fateful rally organised by the PPP in Rawalpindi, she spoke about the risks she ran, saying:At Thursday's fateful rally organised by the PPP in Rawalpindi, she spoke about the risks she ran, saying:
"I put my life in danger and came here because I feel this country is in danger. People are worried. We will bring the country out of this crisis.""I put my life in danger and came here because I feel this country is in danger. People are worried. We will bring the country out of this crisis."
'Root them out''Root them out'
The UN Security Council described it as a "reprehensible act of terrorism" and urged "all Pakistanis to exercise restraint and maintain stability in the country".The UN Security Council described it as a "reprehensible act of terrorism" and urged "all Pakistanis to exercise restraint and maintain stability in the country".
BENAZIR BHUTTO Father led Pakistan before being executed in 1979Spent five years in prisonServed as PM from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996Sacked twice by president on corruption chargesFormed alliance with rival ex-PM Nawaz Sharif in 2006Ended self-imposed exile by returning to Pakistan in OctoberEducated at Harvard and Oxford Obituary: Benazir BhuttoLife in picturesBhutto in her own wordsBENAZIR BHUTTO Father led Pakistan before being executed in 1979Spent five years in prisonServed as PM from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996Sacked twice by president on corruption chargesFormed alliance with rival ex-PM Nawaz Sharif in 2006Ended self-imposed exile by returning to Pakistan in OctoberEducated at Harvard and Oxford Obituary: Benazir BhuttoLife in picturesBhutto in her own words
US President George W Bush said the perpetrators had been murderous extremists trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy.US President George W Bush said the perpetrators had been murderous extremists trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy.
President Musharraf meanwhile went on TV to announce three days of national mourning. President Musharraf announced three days of national mourning, during which schools, commercial centres and banks are being closed.
"I seek unity and support from the nation," he said."I seek unity and support from the nation," he said.
The president made no mention of the election in his address.
As part of the public mourning, schools, commercial centres and banks are being closed for three days.
News of the assassination of the leader of the PPP, Pakistan's largest political party, brought angry supporters onto the streets - many who say the government did not do enough to protect her.News of the assassination of the leader of the PPP, Pakistan's largest political party, brought angry supporters onto the streets - many who say the government did not do enough to protect her.
Their protests later turned into violent riots, particularly in the country's largest city, Karachi, where Ms Bhutto grew up and went to school.Their protests later turned into violent riots, particularly in the country's largest city, Karachi, where Ms Bhutto grew up and went to school.
Protesters set dozens of vehicles on fire in the streets of KarachiProtesters set dozens of vehicles on fire in the streets of Karachi
Businesses, government offices and police stations, along with dozens of vehicles, were attacked and set alight. Rioters also blocked several roads and set fire to tyres.Businesses, government offices and police stations, along with dozens of vehicles, were attacked and set alight. Rioters also blocked several roads and set fire to tyres.
Gunmen later opened fire indiscriminately in various parts of the city. Karachi's police chief said four people were killed in the overnight violence.Gunmen later opened fire indiscriminately in various parts of the city. Karachi's police chief said four people were killed in the overnight violence.
In the latest incident, a policeman was shot dead by gunmen in an eastern district.In the latest incident, a policeman was shot dead by gunmen in an eastern district.
Parts of Indian-administered Kashmir also observed a general strike in mourning of Ms Bhutto, called by separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.