Bhutto Funeral is Today, Thousands Mourn the Martyr’s Death

The Benazir Bhutto funeral started its 7km trek back home today while thousands of mourners cry for their loss.  Accompanying her along the way is her husband, Asif Ali Zardari.  Bhutto’s final resting place will be at her family mausoleum at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.

Benazir Bhutto was shot in the neck and face yesterday by a suicide attacker who immediately blew himself up after his attack.  Benazir was the daughter of former prim minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.  Bhutto was falsely charged with murder and held in the Rawalpindi Jail while Benazir desperately tried for form political rallies to clear his name.  On Wednesday April 4, 1979, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq had Bhutto hanged.

A few suspect al-Qaida is responsible for the Benazir Bhutto’s assasination, although many blame President Pervez Musharraf, her opponent in the elections.

A wave of violence has swept through most of the country, especially Punjab and Sind, mourning Bhutto’s death.  Three banks were robbed then set on fire in Karachi.  7000 people in Multan plundered seven banks.  Tyres were burnt in Islamabad.  Ten railway stations and numerous trains were burnt in Sind.

The amount of violence is so extreme, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) strongly urges Britons to stay away from Pakistan.  They offer on their website some new advice if travel to Pakistan is necessary.

"We therefore recommend against all but essential travel to Pakistan until further notice.  If you are intending to travel to Pakistan, you should follow the developing situation in the news and consult FCO travel advice."