Following are excerpts from some of the editorials that appeared about the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer: As democracies go, Pakistan doesn’t stand as a shining example. But the country, just 60 years old, has persisted in elections for its parliament and president, despite assassinations and military coups that have upset each government formed during those decades.

That doesn’t explain, but it certainly puts into perspective, the killing of Benazir Bhutto, and it highlights the extraordinary courage it took for the opposition leader and former prime minister to return to Pakistan this year. …

Assassination is always a shock to a nation’s system, and condolences from the United States properly were sent by President Bush. Now the Bush administration faces the challenge of dealing with a Pakistan further roiled by a popular leader’s violent death amid the struggle against Islamic fundamentalist terrorism. …

Bhutto’s assassination and the country’s turbulence generally are reminders of Pakistan’s pivotal role in combating terrorism. Musharraf was an early ally in the Bush administration’s successful overthrow of the Taliban regime in neighboring Afghanistan. But the former army general – who was Bhutto’s main political foe – has been either unable or unwilling to tame mountainous regions in the north and west of the country that apparently still shelter terrorist leader Osama bin Laden and his Taliban sponsors, who have regrouped and strengthened on Pakistani soil.

… The United States forged the distasteful alliance with Musharraf out of necessity, based on that nation’s proximity to Afghanistan and its central position in the region. But democracy must remain the goal, even if the road to success is a difficult one. Just how difficult? Consider Benazir Bhutto’s coffin.

Miami Herald: The assassination of Benazir Bhutto is a profoundly sad event and a deeply worrisome portent of trouble. Bhutto could have lived a life of comfort in exile, but she chose to return home because she could see that the dictatorship of Pervez Musharraf was creating recruits for the Islamic fundamentalists who want to seize control of Pakistan and its nuclear arsenal.

By demanding free elections, she dared to make enemies on all sides. For that she paid the ultimate price.

It is impossible to separate Benazir Bhutto the champion of democracy from Benazir Bhutto the flawed ex-prime minister whose two terms in office were marred by accusations of corruption. But there can be no doubt that she personified the democratic aspirations of millions of Pakistanis of all classes. …

Bhutto’s death could not be more untimely. Pakistan is slated to have a round of elections on Jan. 8 that hold the key to the future. As the most prominent member of the opposition, she was widely expected to win at least a share of power.

That would have opened the way for a return to full democracy, which extremists most fear. Without her, the Pakistan People’s Party has been orphaned, but now its adherents must show that their aspirations are based on genuine ideals and not a single personality. …

Dallas Morning News: Benazir Bhutto’s assassination in Pakistan is likely to prompt calls for a wholesale review of U.S. policy toward a country crucial to regional stability and the continuing war on terrorism. Such a review is overdue, considering the minimal results from the $10 billion in U.S. aid funneled to President Pervez Musharraf’s government since 2001.

President Bush blames “murderous extremists” for the attack. But Musharraf shares responsibility for failing to provide adequate security as Bhutto campaigned ahead of January’s national elections. He led a tepid investigation into an Oct. 18 bomb attack on her motorcade, in which 140 were killed. His unenthusiastic attitude toward democracy raises serious doubts about his leadership, as suggested by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s call for his immediate resignation. …

It seems easy to blame terrorists such as al-Qaida for the assassination, and it is worth noting that Musharraf has survived multiple attempts on his life. But we also cannot ignore the instability provoked by Musharraf himself.

He recently blocked democratization efforts, suspended the constitution, jailed his political opponents, ransacked the judiciary, opposed Bhutto’s return from exile and refused to relinquish his military title of general and army commander. …

With riots now spreading around the country, Musharraf will no doubt be tempted to declare emergency rule or delay the elections. The Bush administration should oppose any such action. …