The Chairperson of Pakistan People’s Party, Benazir Bhutto, was killed today, close to the place where her father was killed 32 years ago in 1979. This is also the place where another Pakistani Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, was assassinated in the 1950s.

Some Pakistani observers believe that it is the work of religious extremists. However, it is premature to say who was behind this killing. There are many who would benefit by her death, including some of the political forces. Her death has certainly turned the election campaign bloody as was predicted by the former Information Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on several occasions. Does the minister know more than what meets the eye?

Benazir Bhutto’s death does not bode well for the stability of an already unstable country. There is violence in Hyderabad and Karachi, two cities of Bhutto’s province of Sindh. The next 72 hours will be critical in terms of law and order. The killing seems to be the game of those elements who wanted to break her party. There are many in the country who believe that the January 2008 elections have now become doubtful. What is, however, certain is that the tragic incident will increase pressure on the government especially the military to take action and bring things under control.

There are two possible scenarios. First, the government will postpone elections and allow condition to calm down. This will naturally mean prolongation of the interim government. Second, the new army chief moves in and takes action against all possible beneficiaries of Bhutto’s death. Many believed that the first assassination attempt on October 18 was the handiwork of intelligence agencies rather than the al-Qaeda. General Kiyani might impose martial law and remove President Musharraf and all those forces aligned with him.

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