Daughter of the East!
By the Editor

LEAVING millions of admirers to mourn in a state of agonizing shock – the brave and bold Benazir Bhutto – has embraced martyrdom in the way she lived – with great reverence, dignity and honour.

As a matter of fact, the assassination of the widely-acknowledged and globally- admired political stalwart – the ex-Prime Minister and Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party has sent a shock wave and a sense of grief not only in Pakistan but across the world.

Time has proved that she was the most popular leader of Pakistan and a strong unifying force of the Federation having enormous following in all the Provinces and her untimely death has plunged Pakistan into a lot of uncertainties.

Knowing that she faces threat to her life – late Benazir Bhutto courageously launched the election campaign with a pledge to purge the scourge of terrorism and to restore true democracy in the country.

We are of the view that President Pervez Musharraf did well by announcing three days of national mourning – a course which has happened perhaps for the first time on the demise of a non-government leader.

The tragic death of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto is not only a loss to the PPP but to the entire nation.

According to reports, when Benzair Bhutto came out from Liaquat Bagh – after addressing a mammoth public rally, she was overwhelmed by the massive affection of masses who had jam-packed the road and were waving and shouting slogans of support – she thought it apt to respond to the matchless feelings of the people – from the sunroof of the vehicle – she was
traveling by. Prima facie, that was the time when a cruel suicide bomber struck by bursting a volley of bullets on the venerated leader – and then exploding himself.

The attack – proved fatal – taking an exceptionally esteemed life – the life of Benazir Bhutto.

Of-course, her assassination is a national tragedy and its impact would be felt for a long time to come. It was yet another tragedy that struck the unfortunate Bhutto family.

Her martyrdom has immortalized her just like her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who took the reins of the country when Pakistan was dismembered but through his charismatic personality and determination – he created a new spirit among the demoralized nation in the most obscure days.

With a pledge to serve the people – especially the poor who are categorized as ‘Have-nots’ – late Benazir Bhutto stepped into the arena of politics at quite young age – after the death of her father. In her last address at Liaquat Bagh – Benazir Bhutto said she considered Rawalpindi as her second home where she experienced both happiness and sorrow and the people shared her
grief and happiness.

Her father was hanged at the Rawalpindi jail when she was too young but the people of Pakistan and Rawalpindi recognized the sacrifice of the Bhutto family and returned her Party to power with a massive mandate and made her the first woman Prime Minister of the largest Islamic country of the Muslim world – Pakistan.

Perhaps realizing the threats to her life, she did not bring her family back home and preferred to campaign for elections alone. Because of her strong commitment to eliminate the menace of terrorism from Pakistan – the enemies first targeted her massive public rally in Karachi on 18th October, 2007 when she returned to Pakistan from exile.

The death of the PPP Chairperson has angered the entire country and people have expressed their sentiments in a way – which was never so overt before.
Yet, while expressing the deepest anguish over the tragedy – we need to keep our sentiments under control and must not indulge in activities which may create instability and thus weaken Pakistan.

Benazir Bhutto throughout her life had struggled for the rights of the masses, stability, law and order, development of the country and democracy. Thus, the vital need is to follow her mission by avoiding all types of violence.

Acts of violence in any mode or manner would be a great disservice to the country – which is already in a state of grief and shock.

As is indexed in the folio of the history – the sad demise has touched Benazir Bhutto just the way the burden of political responsibility had – 28 years ago: a little too early.

At the age of 26, she had found herself to be the heir to what was – and what continues to be – the largest political party in the country. She carried that burden with self-confidence which earned the respect of all politicians both within her party and without.

Her eventual ascent to power in 1988, as the first female head of government of a modern Muslim state – was the first manifestation of that grace.

At a young age, she served the people with great zeal, zest and sincerity and also took Pakistan’s image in the comity of nations – much higher as one could envision – at that time.

Virtually, she always had her finger on the pulse of peoples’ sentiments. She was not just the fortunate scion of a political dynasty; she showed genuine political sagacity of her own many times during her marvelous career.

Benazir Bhutto knew the considerable risks she faced even before the Karachi bomb blast. Let no one deny the fact that Benazir Bhutto died as she lived. With courage. With dignity. With grace.

Late Benazir Bhutto was a leader of international stature. The fact is manifested by the reality that all the world leaders – including those heading the super powers – have paid rich tributes to her. The UN Security Council – in an exclusive session of condolences – has also expressed concern which reflects the gravity of the situation.

Anyhow, the nation has to face this shock and recover from its effects. We have to move forward to our destination for which there is dire need for unity and stability and return to democracy.

Hence, it is incumbent upon all the political parties to sink their differences, join hands and lead the democratic march forward – with unison.●