Finger-pointing begins after assassination

BENAZIR BHUTTO was the target of threats from virtually all of the militant groups who make Pakistan their home — from al-Qaida to homegrown terrorists to tribal insurgents on the Afghan border.

Her assassination after a rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi also focused anger and suspicion on the government of President Pervez Musharraf.

The former prime minister blamed al-Qaida, the Taliban and homegrown militants for an October 18 suicide bombing that tore through a procession welcoming her back from exile to lead her opposition party in parliamentary elections. But she accused militant “sympathisers” in Mr Musharraf’s administration of backing the attempt on her life. Bhutto’s supporters chanted “Killer, Killer, Musharraf!” outside the hospital where she was pronounced dead on Thursday.