KEY POINTS:
New Zealand politicians joined world leaders in condemning the assassination of Pakistan's opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, while Labour list MP Ashraf Choudhary was on the spot witnessing the tumultuous aftermath.
Ms Bhutto's enraged supporters burned vehicles and attacked shops across Pakistan after the charismatic former prime minister was shot and killed on Thursday by an assassin as she waved to supporters from the sunroof of her armoured vehicle.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said she was deeply shocked and saddened by the cowardly act, while opposition leader John Key said it was a disgraceful act of terrorism.
"Benazir Bhutto showed great courage in returning to Pakistan to contest the election. She had survived attempts on her life and was acutely aware of the dangers she faced in returning to campaign for the elections," Helen Clark said.
"Her death is a great loss to Pakistan and to the region. My sympathies go out to her immediate family, political colleagues, and to the people of Pakistan for their terrible loss.
Helen Clark is urging New Zealanders to abandon any idea of travelling to Pakistan as further terrorist attacks are highly likely.
She says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now reinforcing its "extreme risk" warning for Pakistan.
Helen Clark expects Pakistan's suspension from the Commonwealth to remain in place, even if elections go ahead next month as planned.
Labour list MP Ashraf Choudhary, in Pakistan visiting family, told NZPA from Sialkot, a city in Pakistan, that he was shocked at the news. The MP, who was born in Pakistan and is New Zealand's first South Asian and Muslim MP, was watching the coverage with family.
"It's a terrible loss," said Dr Choudhary. "It's been a real shock," he said.
Three days of mourning have been declared in Pakistan.
Dr Choudhary said he had met Bhutto several years ago.
Mr Key noted that world leaders were calling for calm.
"My hope is that Pakistan does not descend into chaos following the tragic event," he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to advise against travel to Pakistan.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon, a New Zealander, said the killing of Bhutto was a dark day for Pakistan and for the Commonwealth.
"This is a heinous and cowardly act of violence, and an utterly senseless tragedy," he said.
"I strongly condemn this outrageous act. Violence can serve no useful purpose in any society, especially in one that is seeking to rebuild democracy and reconcile deep divisions," he said.
He said Bhutto was a woman of charisma and courage.
"I hope this terrible tragedy will make crystal clear the folly of violence and the importance of restraint and reconciliation as the only way of consolidating the democratic process. The Commonwealth stands by Pakistan in that effort," he said.
Pakistan Association of Wellington President Asjid Munier said the assassination was "tragic news".
He said he was very sad to hear that Bhutto had died and it should not have happened.
Mr Munier said the association would be praying for her, "that is all we can do", he said.
- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB
