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Perspectives |
| 12/27/07: Benazir Bhutto
Assasinated |
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| I was shocked
when I heard the news since I viewed her as one of the last
sources of just rule in Pakistan. Potential just rule, I should
say. I’m sad to say though that I was not AS surprised
that she was killed, since she was a very brave and open woman,
totally for the people, and she knew how dangerous her position
in the Pakistani political world was. She also knew that her
life was very fragile and in danger, she had an understanding
of all this. The state of the country is now in the hands of
the extremists and whoever can calm down the Bhutto followers
who are rightfully but blindly upset about this. I hope President
Musharraf makes the correct choices in his handling of the next
couple of days and weeks, and I hope the elections go through
safely and the way they should go though. The country is a mess.
- Zain Afzal |
| Tragic but it may unite the
democratic forces, though the Pakistani military is not likely
to learn a lesson because they are exploitative bandits - Imran
Ali |
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| I feel as though Pakistan
lost all aspects of a woman today. She was a mother, a daughter,
a wife, and most importantly a leader who represented Pakistan
with class and stature. Whether in agreement or disagreement
of her as Pakistan's PM, she represented the country in a positive
and proud manner. The future of Pakistan is and will be the
same that it has been the day it gained it independence: crooked,
unstable, and cruel! What happened today was outright embarrassing,
shameful and cruel! - Naz Hussain |
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| It's not de rigeur to imply
anything less than absolute acceptance of concepts of god or
democracy.these days they seem to evoke the same sort of holiness.
Sadly, however, Pakistan (where they are currently burning tires,
smashing windows and cars in their own neighborhoods) isn't
ready for democracy today. Democracy is an idea and an idealistic
one at that; it's not the end all and be all of solutions to
the world's problems. Every nation is unique in its dynamics
and Pakistan particularly so. Violence, however, is not acceptable;
therefore the assassination in and of itself was a horrible
occurrence. But let's not let that make a thief and criminal
into a martyr, just because she paraded behind a flag of democracy.
Had she any sense of repentance she would never have come back
to a land that she turned to shambles before being asked to
leave. Perhaps now there really is a future for democracy, an
opportunity for new leaders with untainted records to emerge
and get involved. - Madyha Farooqi |
| Makes one lose hope in things
ever getting better in our country because every time it seems
we've hit rock-bottom, something even more unthinkable happens.
It bodes very ill for Pakistan as bright and capable people
who are also patriotic are discouraged from venturing proactively
in the arena in order to effect improvement. - Shazia
Ikram |
| Sad for the people of Pakistan.
Can only hope that it doesn't cause reactionary violence and
further unrest. - Anku Nath, Washington DC |
| Regardless whether Benazir Bhutto was
good or bad for Pakistan - she was a leader of our country;
whoever wanted to defeat her should have defeated her politically,
not by killing. Supporters of Benazir Bhutto across Pakistan
should not retaliate by burning buses, shutting down the markets
or anything that may cause problems for people of Pakistan to
live their daily lives. Bhutto wanted to bring democracy and
peace to the country - PPP shouldn't forget that. President
Musharraf has declared a three-day mourn in the entire country
and he should also ensure a peaceful and fair election as scheduled
on January 8 th, 2008. Pakistan has lots of hopes attached with
the President and it's expected that he will not let down the
people of his country. Statements like "We will boycott the
elections" by other opposition leaders will cause further implications
and country will get in further turmoil. Nawaz Sharif is trying
to cash-out on the assassination incident by declaring that
he will fulfill Bhutto's dream of democracy; people of Pakistan
understand that Benazir Bhutto cannot be replaced by Sharif.
- AK |
| It takes many generations
and unparalleled experiences to create a person like Benazir
Bhutto. As a politician she was not honest; her foreign policy
was instrumental to bringing the very factions that are now
one of the suspects in her murder. Still, she was a rare individual,
with great charisma, intelligence, education, and statesmanship
which cannot be found in many women, or men, in today's political
arena. It is the loss of such a rare and accomplished individual
that grieves me more than the loss of her as a political personality
because that, in my opinion, is probably a good loss for Pakistan
as long as she can be replaced by someone a little more honest!
- SW |
| Sad! Implications for Pakistan will depend
very much on those left behind than the one who was killed.
The surviving PPP leadership has immense responsibility to maintain
the peace and stability in Pakistan. God knows we cannot trust
Musharraf to wade through these choppy waters without US guidance.
Everyone BUT Musharraf will have to come together to save Pakistan
from turmoil and disaster. - NM |
| This was the most gruesome
thing that could happen at such a sensitive time for Pakistan.
Pakistan did not only lose a great public/international figure
but has taken a huge blow towards its own security. The consequences
could be really bad and I hope I’m proven wrong. However,
I forward my sympathies to Benazir’s family and everyone
who lost a great sense of stability in troubled times. - Sajid
Ghafoor |
| Devastating for her children.
They are orphans so she could get another bite at glory power
and leadership. - Yousuf Ali |
| Two days after her tragic
death, what has Pakistan learnt???? When will our politicians
and activists stop behaving like pig-headed opportunists? Instead
of pulling together to fight the menace that plagues our country
and nation, all we do is raise fingers to point more blame,
more accusations and more abuse at each other. While the world
weeps for us, there is but little hope for us ... not because
we are not capable of helping ourselves but because we are just
incapable of being civil, tolerant and sensible. I pray that
one day sanity will prevail on this nation and our people will
lead normal lives like most people in the world! Amin!! - Ali
Khan |
| Killing someone, anyone,
is abhorrent and terrible in itself. However, Benazir Bhutto’s
assassination does not imply the death of only one person. It
blatantly records the unnamed 16 that died instantly in the
same blast, the 90 that got badly injured, and the hundreds
that were killed, injured, burnt, looted, terrorized in Karachi
in the 6-8 hours after her death was confirmed. Rangers and
Police did not touch these crazed, drugged, ‘angry’
mobs of ‘jahil’ men, who moved in swarms and burnt
cars, petrol drums, threw large stones at windows and all vehicles
and broke down traffic signals, pedestrians’ legs and
car hoods with large sticks. Why? Why are the authorities that
vow to serve and protect us so scared of these idiots?? Are
we daft??? Why are we becoming a nation of sissies that are
wrongfully discriminated against as the world’s top terrorist
country??? When will someone take a stand against all this absolute
‘jahalat’ and suffering??? When will we put an end
to all this political bullshit that only helps the politicians
gain and NEVER the poor??? When will we truly get our rights
and walk free as citizens of a free country???? Today, is the
best day to start. - Amena Khan |
| It is extremely shocking.
Pakistan, today, has lost one of its most charismatic politicians,
an outstanding leader, leaving the entire nation in a state
of perplexity and uncertainty. It is a national tragedy. Such
an act of brutality augurs severe consequences for the whole
country. We offer our condolences to Ms. Bhutto's family. May
her soul rest in peace. And we pray for the stability and peace
of the country. Amen. - Murium Javed |
| It was something that I could
not believe for quite some time...I feel so sad and so bad.
I just hope whoever did this will be punished. - Behjut
Fatima |
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