Pakistan Now, the Hard Part: Governing

Is Bhutto up to the challenge?

Elation exploded in the cities of Pakistan last week. As Acting President Ghulam Ishaq Khan announced that Benazir Bhutto, the leader of the Pakistan People's Party, would become the first female Prime Minister of a Muslim country, chanting crowds surged through the streets, and fireworks lighted the sky. Excitement rose to fever pitch as Bhutto, 35, was sworn in at the presidential compound in Islamabad.

There was ample reason for celebration -- and for caution. After eleven years of military domination, Bhutto's installation capped the most peaceful transition to democracy in Pakistan's coup-riddled 41-year history. Harvard- and Oxford-educated, Bhutto secured her...

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