Riots and Paranoia

Rioting has begun in many parts of Pakistan, and martial law is almost certain to be imposed. While I never attempt to predict the future, this situation feels ominous.

As news of her death spread, angry supporters took to the streets in the northwestern city of Peshawar as well other areas, chanting slogans against Musharraf. In Rawalpindi, Bhutto's supporters burned election posters from the ruling party and attacked police, who fled the scene.

In Karachi, shop owners quickly closed their businesses as supporters from Bhutto's party burned tires on the roads.

Nawaz Sharif, another former premier and opposition leader, arrived at the
hospital and sat silently next to Bhutto's body.

"Benazir Bhutto was also my sister, and I will be with you to take the revenge for
her death," he said. "Don't feel alone. I am with you. We will take the revenge on the rulers."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071227/ap_on_re_as/pakistan

Pakistan's ISI has its tentacles in a lot of places, including ties to Al-Qaeda. Nawaz Sharif was targeted earlier in the day. And while there may be no parallel, my paranoid side is remembering the assassination of Ahmed Shah Massoud two days before 9/11. I've got a really bad feeling about whatever follows this assassination.