At least forty-four people have died in rioting across Pakistan that was triggered by the assassination of Benizir Bhutto. Damage is reported to be in the tens of millions of dollars. A spokesman for the Musharraf government called the rioters "criminals" and warned of the consequences for continued protests. On Sunday, Mrs. Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party will meet to elect a successor to its slain leader and decide whether to participate in the January 8th parliamentary elections or boycott it as some have suggested. Another opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif, has already said it will boycott the election. The Bush administration has reportedly counseled President Musarraf to hold the election as planned, in the name of stability. The newly formed group based along the Afghan border and linked to Al-Qa’ida that was blamed by the government for Mrs. Bhutto’s murder has vehemently denied responsibility, emphasizing that it does not oppose the Pakistani government, only the Americans. The Musharraf government has rejected offers of assistance from other countries in pursuing the investigation of the killing of Benazir Bhutto. Because of suspicion concerning Musharraf and the assassination, many Pakistanis want the president and those he controls to be removed from the investigation.