Pakistan mourns Bhutto, as Al Qaeda claims responsibility

In October, Islamic militants threatened to kill Bhutto on her return from a long period in exile. A suicide bomber that struck near her motorcade in Karachi killed over 130 people; Bhutto narrowly escaped unharmed.

In an email written shortly after that attack, Bhutto complained that Musharraf had failed to provide adequate security and said that if she were to die, he would bear some of the responsibility, reports CNN. She also publicly accused unnamed members of the government and security forces of trying to kill her. CNN obtained the email from Mark Siegel, a longtime friend and US-based advisor to Bhutto.

"Just wanted u to know if it does in addition to the names in my letter to Musharaf of Oct 16nth, I wld hold Musharaf responsible. I have been made to feel insecure by his minions and there is no way what is happening in terms of stopping me from taking private cars or using tinted windows or giving jammers or four police mobiles to cover all sides cld happen without him."

Islamic militants opposed to a pro-Western, secular, female leader are prime suspects in the killing, but Bhutto had other powerful enemies, including elements within Pakistan's security apparatus, reports USA Today.

She had challenged the military and intelligence services by announcing she would allow the United Nations' nuclear watchdog to question A.Q. Khan, the Pakistani nuclear scientist accused of sharing technology and expertise with Iran and North Korea.

Banks, shops and markets in Pakistan were closed Friday, and troops were deployed in some cities to quell unrest, Bloomberg reports. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and a political rival of Bhutto's, said his party would boycott next month's elections because it wasn't possible to campaign freely. Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammmedmian Soomro said Friday the elections would be held as scheduled, but added that "any decision on a possible postponement" will be discussed with political parties.

Analysts say Musharraf will be damaged politically by the assassination amid widespread suspicion over the lax security around Bhutto, reports The New York Times. She died in Rawalpindi, the Army's headquarters. Members of Bhutto's party accuse Musharraf's government of wanting her dead, and protests may escalate after her burial, particularly in her stronghold of Karachi.

If Mr. Musharraf declares a state of emergency to rein in protests, he is likely to meet stronger popular opposition than he did when he declared emergency powers in November, analysts said.

"President Musharraf already does not enjoy a high degree of support," said Ijaz Gilani, the chairman of Gallup Pakistan, a leading polling agency. "With this incident, his ability to withstand all these negative segments about him is even more difficult."

If Mr. Musharraf goes ahead with nationwide elections scheduled for Jan. 8, he is likely to encounter street protests as well. Analysts said holding the elections would be seen as an effort by him to take advantage of Ms. Bhutto's death.

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