Pakistani Opposition Party Says "Bhutto's Assassination May Spark Civil War"

December 27, 2007 6:12 p.m. EST

Islamabad, Pakistan (AHN) - Following the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, opposition groups have warned of a civil war in Pakistan. Riaz Malik, of the opposition Pakistan Movement for Justice party (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf), warned, "The impact will be that Pakistan is in more turmoil - it will be the start of civil war in Pakistan."

"There will be a lot of fingers pointed at the government. There is a very real danger of civil war in Pakistan," Malik said.

Meanwhile, the entire nation is under a security alert following the suicide bombing and attack that killed Bhutto late Thursday evening in Rawalpindi. Bhutto's supporters took to the streets in cities like Karachi and Lahore, and more unrest is expected on Friday.

In Peshawar police had to use tear gas and batons after angry demonstrators blocked the main highway and torched billboards and posters of the former ruling party, according to reports.

Geo News, a local TV channel, quoted Punjab Home Secretary Khusro Pervaiz Khan as saying that the provincial government has called in the army and contingents of the Rangers to help the police maintain the law and order in these districts.

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf declared three days of national mourning for Bhutto, but her political party will mourn for 40 days. Musharraf ordered all government offices to fly the national flag at half mast. In a national broadcast on PTV, Musharraf distanced himself from the assassination. Bhutto's grieving followers believe he has a hand in the death of their leader.

Musharraf said that Pakistan faces its greatest threat from the terrorists who killed Bhutto. He said he was resolved to eliminate the terrorists and called on the nation to join him in solidarity and cooperate in that quest. He also urged the nation to remain calm and display tolerance and patience. Although the nation has been anything but calm since Bhutto's death with grief-stricken Pakistanis rioting in the streets of many areas.

AHN's South Asia Correspondent Siddique Islam and Vittorio Hernandez also contributed to this report.