Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in a suicide attack Thursday near the capital Islamabad Thursday, her party and interior ministry said. The suicide attacker first opened fire at her as she got into her car and then blew himself near the car after Bhutto finished addressing an election rally in a park in Rawalpindi, some 30 kms south from Islamabad. - Xinhua/AFP

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is holding an emergency meeting at the presidency yesterday with top government officials after the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, state-run television reported.

Bhutto, 54, died in a hospital after a suspected suicide rocked her election rally at the Liaquat Bagh park in Rawalpindi, some 30 km south from Islamabad.

The latest reports from the state-run PTV said at least ten people were killed in the blast.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf appealed to the nation to remain peaceful after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto "so that the evil designs of terrorists can be defeated," state TV said.