NORMAL - Syed Gilani first heard the news of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination after spending Thursday morning shopping in the Twin Cities.

Gilani, a native of Pakistan who lives in Normal, said he was in "total shock" after hearing the news about 10 a.m.

"I understand how people reacted when (President John F.) Kennedy was assassinated," Gilani said. "It is sad. A human being has died. A leader has died. A wife and mother has died."

Salman Khan, a history graduate student at Illinois State University who was born in Pakistan, had a similar reaction when told of Bhutto's death.

After a moment of stunned silence, Khan said: "No way. I never really thought that would happen."

The political opposition leader's death underscores the instability in Pakistan as the country swings between democracy and the strongman rule of President Pervez Musharraf.

Khan and Gilani agreed her assassination will add to the political problems faced by Musharraf.

"The only group who benefits from this disaster is someone with ill will toward the country," Gilani said. "Musharraf could be up for some really tough times."

While Musharraf and Bhutto were political opponents, both were considered pro-American.

"I don't see how this gives the opposition any leverage," Khan said. "Why kill her? It only martyrs her and gives the people someone to rally around."

Gilani said her assassination was extremely disturbing. He said he spent the day watching news coverage.

"The country had been going in the right direction with the upcoming elections," Gilani said. "From any aspect, this is not a good day for Pakistan."

George Gordon, an ISU political science professor, said he has heard Bhutto described as a clear winner in the Jan. 8 parliamentary elections in Pakistan.

"There are a lot of pro-democracy-minded people in Pakistan who were looking to Bhutto for relief," Gordon said. "The effect of this will destabilize Pakistan."

Bob Hunt, a retired ISU professor who specialized in the politics of India and Pakistan, said Pakistan is an important country to the United States.

"There are some pro-democracy bulwarks who are working against the extremists, but with all the potential there and the danger, this could turn into a situation worse than Afghanistan because Pakistan is a nuclear power," Hunt said.

Without Bhutto, Hunt added, it will be tough to find someone who can hold a democratic agenda and still work with Musharraf and moderate Muslims.

Khan said he is worried about Pakistan's future, but he added he knows it will recover.

"I'm hoping it doesn't worsen to the point of becoming a civil war," he said.

"But I know whatever happens, it will recover."

Gilani said he hopes in the coming days Pakistanis show grief instead of anger.

"And I'm hoping Pakistan will remain on the path of democracy in spite of this loss," Gilani said.