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Friday, August 29, 2008

PAKISTAN

Benazir Bhutto assassinated

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, 54, was killed in a suicide attack on a political rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, plunging the country into political crisis. (Report: J. Creedon)

Thursday, December 27, 2007

By  FRANCE 24 with wires

 
Dec.27, 2007 – Pakistani opposition leader and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in an attack in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on Thursday at a campaign rally.
 
"She has been martyred," said Rehman Malik, an official from Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Bhutto, 54, died in hospital in Rawalpindi.
 
Bhutto had just addressed a rally in Rawalpindi when gunshots and a blast were heard, according to witnesses.
 
Speaking from Rawalpindi, where he was covering the rally, Graham Usher, GRN correspondent for FRANCE 24, said Bhutto had got off the stage from where she was addressing a crowd at a public park when the attack occurred.
 
“She was getting into her car when there was a hail of bullets and then the person committing the attack detonated (the explosives) as a suicide attack,” said Usher. “Initial reports said it was a suicide explosion, but it seems that Benazir Bhutto died from the bullet wounds.”
 
At least 20 people were killed in the attack. There have been no claims of responsibility for the attack so far.
 
The twice-elected former prime minister had been campaigning for general elections scheduled for Jan. 8 following a power-sharing agreement with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. One of Pakistan’s largest political parties, the PPP, was widely expected to lead the January polls.
 
Hours after her assassination, fellow former Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif said his party would boycott the elections. A longtime political rival, Sharif had recently cooperated with Bhutto in a joint opposition to Musharraf.
 
A staunch opponent of Musharraf, Sharif called for the former military chief’s resignation as his party’s boycott raised questions about the fate of the Jan. 8 elections. "Free elections are not possible in the presence of Musharraf," Sharif told reporters in the capital of Islamabad. "Musharraf is the root cause of all problems."
 
 
Musharraf calls for calm as violence engulfs Pakistan
 
In a message broadcast on state television shortly after Bhutto’s assassination, Musharraf appealed for calm "so that the evil designs of terrorists can be defeated.” Calling the assassination “the work of terrorists,” Musharraf called on the people for their support.
 
There were widespread security fears following Bhutto’s assassination as the country’s security services were put on "red alert" according to a Pakistani Interior Ministry spokesman.
 
Across the country, enraged supporters poured into the streets in an anguished and often unruly display of loss. At least ten people were killed in violent demonstrations, according to the Pakistani Interior Ministry.
 
The situation was particularly tense in Bhutto’s native province of Sindh. In Karachi, the provincial capital, at least three banks, a government office and a post office were set on fire, according to the AFP.
 
International community condemns the attack
 
As news of her assassination spread, there was widespread condemnation from across the world.
 
U.S. President George W. Bush, a close ally who was widely reported to have played an instrumental role in her return to politics this year following eight years in exile, called the attack a "cowardly act by murderous extremists."
 
Speaking to reporters from his Texas ranch, Bush called on Pakistanis to "honor Benazir Bhutto's memory by continuing with the democratic process for which she so bravely gave her life.”
 
In France, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner condemned what he called "this odious act" and paid tribute to Bhutto as an eminent figure in Pakistani political life.
 
India, Pakistan's neighbour and arch rival has also condemned her killing. "In her death the subcontinent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and reconciliation in her country," said a spokesman for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
 
No stranger to violence
 
The eldest daughter of former Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Bhutto was no stranger to violence.
 
Bhutto was the target of a suicide attack that killed nearly 150 people during her homecoming parade through the southern city of Karachi Oct. 18, after her return from exile.
 
Islamist militants were held responsible for the Oct. 18 attack and the PPP chief had frequently addressed the issue of risks to her life.
 
Her family history, like several leading South Asian political families, has been a violent one. Her father was executed by then Pakistani military chief Zia ul-Haq in 1979. Her two brothers died under mysterious circumstances in what she claimed were terrorist attacks.
[6] reactions :

  • Friday, December 28, 2007

    Bhutto Assasination

    By  'George Luis Dewey

    The most important nation in the terroristic world we live in is Pakistan mostly because Americans decided to give ;them nukes to keep the balance of Mutual Assured Destruction between India and Pakistan. We talk a lot about democracy but policies like this negate the longterm trust in such governments that might emerge in a democratic nation that just miight elect a radical populist who would then use the bomb against us. Bush and his neocons and the run amuck CIA would rather have a hardliner like the current General or President (whaterver). One thing I can say doesn't fit in this analysis of the Pakistan-US relations and that is the notion that this attack could have occurred and been effective without a nod from Washington. Which is more likely when you use common sense ? We want democracy or a hardliner that will protect our nukes? If we wanted democracy we would have protected her just like we protect the nukes. Bush and his chickenhawk buddies are propping up every cheap tin horn bully they can find - strongmen with secret prisons and secret police are in, peace loving liberal leaders need not apply. I find it really sad that my country is run by gangsters and so is yours. Sorry about that - maybe someday we'll progress out of our animalistic and moralistic morass long enough to lay down a human standard of government and mutual regard which would mean we would have to stop victimizing, overcontrolling, manipulating and decieving each other for our preferred moral "reasons". Francisco
    Goya said "the dreams of reason create monsters "and this act was truly monstrous.

  • Thursday, December 27, 2007

    Benedir,s murder

    By  Leslie Hayden

    As the whole of the world know,s by now this Lady who was a symbol of hopeful peace is no longer with this World, which now is so filled with hatred only the people that carried out this atrocity will gain anything from this Lady,s murder

  • Thursday, December 27, 2007

    shame for all people

    By  xclnci

    Why killing innocent people 15 people who died .... they were having their family why non one thinks of parents, childrens Request to all people STOP DOING all this because you get life just once so enjoy it the way you like but stop killing stop suicide bombing

  • Thursday, December 27, 2007

    Butho has been killed

    By  Yedaly

    She was a very stong woman, she has led the opposition against the injustice and tyranie..

  • Thursday, December 27, 2007

    Benazir Bhutto

    By  Bradford Kellogg

    The tragedy that is Pakistan has extinguished one of the lights that burned bright in the crushing darkness. The nightmare continues. But ideas, hopes and dreams do not succumb to bullets and bombs. They can never kill what Benazir Bhutto represents.

  • Thursday, December 27, 2007

    benazir

    By  azman

    this is totally insane and unacceptable. as a leader who wants to bring unity and stability to pakistan, the reaction from some of the present or past govt. supporters whoever they are is totally ridiculous. may her soul rest in peace as what she has been hoping to bring to pakistan.

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Images

Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto at a rally, just moments before her assassination.

Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto at a rally, just moments before her assassination.

Images

Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto at a rally, just moments before her assassination.

Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto at a rally, just moments before her assassination.

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