Channelnewsasia.com
Saturday, November 22, 2008
   
 
  blogs  
 
yournews
   
Coping with the Crisis
Video Finance Features Weather Travel Discussion TV Shows
CNA Live    | About Us 
 
  Home ›
 
Asia Pacific News

 
 

Pakistan tense amid bitter dispute over Bhutto's death
Posted: 29 December 2007 1241 hrs

 
 
Photos  of

   
 
Related News
Picture Gallery: Benazir Bhutto's Assassination
Bhutto died trying to duck from blast, not bullet or bomb: ministry
India maintains "high state of vigil" following Bhutto's assassination
Pakistan political violence kills 32: officials
Assassinated opposition leader Bhutto buried in southern Pakistan

ISLAMABAD : A day after Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was laid to rest, conflicting reports about the cause of her death remain.

An alleged Al-Qaeda leader, blamed by the government for killing her, also denied any involvement in the attack.

Security remains tight on the streets of Karachi, Islamabad and Larkana on the second day of national mourning.

Schools and banks are closed, and in the capital Islamabad, flags are at half-mast.

Three brigades of army and 12,000 para-military forces were deployed in Sindh province alone.

The tension in Pakistan is high in the wake of Benazir Bhutto's assassination.

"City is burning, no traffic on road. Workers are not going to their jobs, people are worried about not getting medicines, all medical stores are closed," said one Pakistani.

Across the country, the shock is still palpable.

Now the question remains - what exactly was the cause of Benazir Bhutto's death?

Pakistani government officials are issuing conflicting and contradictory statements.

The government said she was probably hit by a splinter from the suicide bomb attack.

But Dr Mussadiq Khan, the senior doctor who treated Ms Bhutto in hospital, said she died from an injury caused when she fell against the armoured car.

Earlier the same doctor claimed that she was hit by at least two bullets in her neck and head.

Dr Khan said: "Yes it was a big wound that usually occurs when something big, with a lot of speed, hits that area."

An aide of Ms Bhutto who bathed her body also said he saw a bullet wound.

Analysts and experts agree that the January 8 elections may not be held in time as Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party will hold a 40-day mourning period.

Another major opposition party led by Nawaz Sharif has decided to totally boycott the elections.

All eyes are now set on whether Ms Bhutto's husband Asif Zardari and senior People's Party officials to see if they decide to join the elections or seek a postponement of the polls. - CNA/ch/so



  • Profile
  • Timeline
  • Political Career
  • The Assassination
  •  

     



    Other asiapacific News
    China's Hu salutes Bush, hopeful for Obama
    China, Taiwan hold historic meeting
    Eight Thai protesters wounded in new attack
    Indonesia leader demands oil states take crisis action
    Bush bows out, China assertive at APEC summit
    Tibetan exiles tackle future China policy
    Pakistan urges end to US missile strikes as latest attack kills four
    Yoga forbidden for Muslims in Malaysia
    Supporters to protest Taiwanese ex-president's detention
    Peru and South Korea to launch free trade talks
    China angrily dismisses US congressional report
    US wants to send more troops to secure Afghan elections, says Gates
    US unsure of Kim Jong-il's recovery after health crisis
    Philippines' Arroyo heads to Peru after emergency landing for husband
    China has only identified 19,000 quake victims
    Bush seeks APEC backing on NKorean nuclear, financial crisis
    UN body criticises China over "widespread" torture allegations
    Chinese readers still snapping up books on Barack Obama
    Amnesty urges China not to execute convicted spy
    China refuses to budge on Tibet amid talks
    Ex-Thai coup leader expects peaceful protests
    Thai unions pledge strike unless government steps down
    Divisions cloud meeting of Nepal's ruling Maoists
    Funeral bombing kills seven in Pakistan
    Leading ladies of Malaysian politics battle for job
    Shanghai's Peace Hotel to become arts centre
    US Congress warned of Chinese cyber, space threats
    Troubled Indonesian tycoon to drop Cabinet post
    Indian PM appeals against caste, religious divisions
    China plans US$440b investment in quake-hit province

     


    Advertisements

     
    Affiliate Sites:
     
    About Us  |  Contact Us  |  Advertise with Us  |  Terms & Conditions