Three days have passed since the assassination of Benazir Bhutto on December 27th, 2007. It is now the last few days of the year and the future of Pakistan seems increasingly in disarray. Shops and markets are still closed across the country. According to news reports, approximately 40 people have died in the ensuing violence, and over 500 cars, 22 trains, 40 banks and various Government offices have been burnt down by unruly mobs. Today is supposed to be the third and final day of the three days of mourning announced by the Government.

In terms of daily life, people across the country and especially here in Karachi are facing a tough time. Owing to the shut down of petrol pumps, most transportation is off the streets. Yesterday evening, there were long lines at the petrol pumps where people were hoping that they might come by some petrol for their cars and motorbikes. In typical Karachi fashion, people having been cooped up in their homes for several days, joking around and exchanging conspiracy theories as they waited for the odd chance that the stations may begin selling fuel. For most, there was no such luck. Families are also facing food shortages since shops have either been closed or have not had their stores replenished since Thursday. It is especially difficult to come across staples like flour, eggs, milk and butter. Since it was the height of wedding season in Pakistan, many weddings have been cancelled and postponed owing to Bhutto's death.

Politically, today is supposed to be a crucial day. Yesterday Dawn News TV aired footage of the supposed shooter who shot and killed Benazir, poking a hole in the Government's theory that Bhutto died of injuries to her head caused by a skull fracture from hitting her head against the lever of her sunroof. The video footage as well as pictures showed a clean cut gunman pointing and shooting a gun at the leader, while the suicide bomber, his face covered by a cloth, waits nearby. It is unlikely that the exact cause of death will ever be determined, but theories abound regarding who was responsible in orchestrating the attack. Today, the leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban in Pakistan, Baitullah Mehsud, issued a statement saying that the Government is wrongly pinning blame on him and that the Taliban were not involved in the killing since "tribal customs prevent him from targeting a woman."

Benazir's last will will be read today by her son Bilawal Bhutto at a meeting of the Pakistan People's Party's Senior Executive Council at Bhutto House in Larkana. It is expected that after the meeting, clearer signals will emerge regarding who will take over the reigns of the Party and whether the PPP will contest upcoming elections, if they are indeed held.

As I sit here writing this update, things continue to remain eerily quiet in Karachi. Seven people were killed in the city yesterday in Lyari, which is a PPP stronghold. It is expected that a formal curfew will be imposed in that area if the violence continues. The Pakistan Army has been deployed in most parts of the city with "shoot at sight" orders for anyone causing any trouble. However, news crews from various parts of the city continue to report incidents of violence in areas off the city's main arteries where fewer Army and police personnel can be found. Since Karachi is an MQM stronghold, many forecast that things will return to normal tomorrow once official mourning comes to an end. Whether this forecast is indeed true remains to be seen in the coming days.