Somehow I knew that it would come to this - the moment she returned home to Pakistan on Oct 18 to take part in the country's election after eight years of self-imposed exile.
May she rest in Peace. Al-Fatiha.
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Left: Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto waves to supporters after an election rally in Rawalpindi December 27, 2007, shortly before she was killed in a gun and bomb attack.
Pix by: Mian Khursheed / Reuters
Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been killed in a presumed suicide attack, a spokesman for the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) says. Earlier reports said Ms Bhutto had only been injured and taken to hospital.
Ms Bhutto had just addressed a rally of PPP supporters in the town of Rawalpindi when the rally was hit by a blast.
At least 15 other people are reported killed in the attack.
Ms Bhutto has twice been the country's prime minister and was campaigning ahead of elections due in January. More from BBC
AFP: Here
Time: Here
More Here and here
Obituary: Bhutto had turbulent history
Also read Who did it? By Jason Burke, here
Benazir Bhutto (1953–2007)
17 comments:
Kak Ton,
It is sad to see such lawlessness in an Islamic country. How do we expect people to respect the rule of law? Will the same not happen in Malaysia one day? It is a sad day for all of us.
Hi Zawi,
It is indeed a sad day.
Although I was shock to hear the news of her assasination, it didnt really come as a surprise.
I kind of expected this the moment she announced she was returning to Pakistan. And yesterday, when I wzs watching Al Jazeerah, the first news that came out was that she was safe.
I told Abang Roslani "I think she's gonna get it one of these days", not that I was praying for it to happen, but judging from events that were happening in Pakistan since her return.
The next thing I heard the Al Jazeerah guy who was interviewing her close aide told her that Reuters' news just said she(Benazir) has died.
I kept saying "Ya Allah, Ya Allah" and screamed at Abang Roslani to listen to the news.
Will it happen here, you ask.
Let's pray it wont.
Dear Kak Ton,
Even if I have doubts over Benazir's cordial relationship with the US, I cant help but think highly of the first female muslim who was democratically elected to be a prime minister.
The corruption charges still looms unanswered though.
What a sad day. Al fatehah
Dear Kak Ton
I was not shocked to hear this on the news yesterday. It was only a matter of time and she survived the first suicide bombing which killed 140 people, escaping narrowly. Still, I have great admiration for this woman, a first Muslim woman PM at the age of 35, and in a country that is besieged with political turmoil. She went back knowing very well this could happened and yet she did it. It doesnt matter what was her motive now, but she certainly was a brave woman and faced the danger knowing well it may cause her her own life. It is moment like this that we find that life is indeed so short and be grateful that we are in Malaysia. For people who cried foul over terrorism in Malaysia, this is a good eye opener to them what terrorism is really about.
I wish you and your family and cucus all a great New Year and may 2008 bring good health and happy tidings to all at home.
Elviza,
I think her return to Pakistan was brokered by the US. She had the tacit support of the US Government.
About those corruption charges, as her cousin said in an interview with the BBC last night, that (corruption charges) is something all politicians will be slapped with if the powers-that-be want them out.
Her husband was jailed for eight years but he was never brought to court to stand for trial
Anyway, I thought President Musharaff has agreed to drop those corruption charges (against her) before her return to Pakistan in October.
Dear Marykate,
I was shocked. But like you I was not surprised because it would be a matter of time before this tragedy struck her.
Yes, I have nothing but admiration for her - being the first Muslim woman to be a prime minister of a Muslim country, not once but twice although both times she was forced to step down.
But Pakistan has gone through some radical changes since she left for self-imposed exile. The younger generation has become more militant.
The US government who brokered her return thought it would be a good arrangement for President Musharaff to make a deal with her and Nawas Sharif.
That’s the tragedy - when you have a superpower meddling into your internal affairs (as what happened with Iran when the CIA gave the wrong report dismissing the rising discontent brewing among the populace in that country).
I think Benazir knew the risk that she was taking. She is after all a politician. And at 54, a seasoned one too.
I salute her for her bravery, but at what cost? PPP is now leaderless and Pakistan is in a political turmoil.
I agree with you - those who cried foul over terrorism in this country should take a leaf from this tragedy.
Hope you & your loved ones have a great New Year.
Man proposes, God disposess.
Kita merancang, Tuhan menentukan.
Rest well, Benazir.
Al Fateha
Kak Ton,
So sad there are politicians who lead by hatred and prejudices to the extent of inciting violence.
Politics is a very high stake gamble. If not with one's life, it's one's character.
I was into some voluntary work, not even interested in holding positions. But at my lowest point, I was shocked of the allegations against me despite doing everything above suspicion. We just can't be too careful.
If people want to bring us down, soemthing innocuous can turn deadly. Only our conscience is our witness.
Kak Ton,
When I heard the news, the first thing that crossed my mind... oh no!!! not in another muslim country!?! if it happens elsewhere, no one will ever mention about the 'religious status' of the nation or of its leaders and majority population.
It's another sad day in history indeed. A grim reminder to us all to savour the true meaning of peace & harmony.
Ibu,
I know. How most people tend to associate terrorism with Islam as though that is the monopoly of Muslims.
Indira Ghandi was assasinated by a sikh and her son, Rajiv, by a member of the Tamil Tiger. But no mention was made of their religion.
No religion sanctions killings. Sure hate it when such an atrocious act is linked to killer's religion.
hi hi&lo,
I am sorry to hear about your experience.
It's true sometimes people tend to misread your good intentions. And like you said: only our conscience will be your witness.
And as we say: "Hanya Tuhan mengetahui niat kita."
Benzir Bhutoo knew the risk involved in returning to Pakistan.
In an interview on CNN's "The Situation Room," Benazir said she expected threats against her life as she prepared to lead a push for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.
"They don't want democracy, they don't want me back, and they don't believe in women governing nations, so they will try to plot against me.
"But these are risks that must be taken. I'm prepared to take them," she said.
How prophetic!
I forgot to give the link to the quotes above.
It is a CNN's story: Bhutto took on risks in life.
The the link is:
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/12/27/bhutto.obit/index.html#cnnSTCText?iref
The word ISLAM should never be attached to refer to the killer because what he has done is not Islamic at all.
A shame on them and insyaAllah a damnation in the fire of hell.
Dear Kak Ton,
Allow me to respond to Anon 6:36PM: Yes, Benazir took a major risk when she decided to return to Pakistan. I, for one, admire her courage and her sense of noblesse oblige. The lady had endured so much suffering--and witnessed so many violent deaths in her family--that she could have easily turned her back on Pakistan this time. Yet she fought for a better Pakistan till the end. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto would have been so proud of her.
Hi guys,
Please read Marina Mahathir's latest entry: Benazir and Destiny.
http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com/2007/12/benazir-and-destiny.html
It's a good write-up, very insightful. And I must say, I share her views.
Her son, Bilawal, has just inherited Benazir's post as the new leader of the PPP.
He is only 19. And there she was talking about restoring Democracy in Pakistan.
What a joke!
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