A Great Loss To Pakistan
Earlier today, Benazir Bhutto, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, was assassinated during a campaign stop in Pakistan.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007)
(photo courtesy time.com)
Mrs. Bhutto was shot twice in the neck with one of the bullets entering her spine (which was ruled the cause of death). Right after she was shot, a suicide bomber blew up a car which killed another 22 people at the rally.
Many countries have condemned the assassination with several calling it a terrorist act. The Shadow does not wish to go that far, but will call this a senseless killing.
Mrs. Bhutto was on the verge of becoming Prime Minister for the third time in her career after parliamentary elections on January 8 and could have restored democracy to that country. This is a major setback indeed. The government of President Pervez Musharraf is considering postponing the elections. There is even a chance that another state of emergency will be called.
CNN.com reprinted an editorial that Mrs. Bhutto published on the web site citing the fact that President Musharraf did not provide for her protection since her first assassination attempt when she returned to Pakistan in October from exile. In fact, President Musharraf tried to persuade her to keep herself in the open (not ride in a tinted car to hide her identity on the road, not travel with private security guards). The Shadow is not saying here that President Musharraf is responsible for Mrs. Bhutto's death. But it boggles the mind why she was not given more government protection.
The Shadow urges his Pakistani readers to remain calm and not resort to violence. The government has called for a three-day period of mourning for Mrs. Bhutto. Let's have calm during that time. Mrs. Bhutto's replacement in her party needs to be elected quickly. And then, hold the elections as scheduled on January 8 and bring democracy to Pakistan.
And finally, The Shadow gives his condolences to Mrs. Bhutto's surviving family.
The Shadow will comment on this more in his year-end message next week.
Until then, good night and good luck.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007)(photo courtesy time.com)
Mrs. Bhutto was shot twice in the neck with one of the bullets entering her spine (which was ruled the cause of death). Right after she was shot, a suicide bomber blew up a car which killed another 22 people at the rally.
Many countries have condemned the assassination with several calling it a terrorist act. The Shadow does not wish to go that far, but will call this a senseless killing.
Mrs. Bhutto was on the verge of becoming Prime Minister for the third time in her career after parliamentary elections on January 8 and could have restored democracy to that country. This is a major setback indeed. The government of President Pervez Musharraf is considering postponing the elections. There is even a chance that another state of emergency will be called.
CNN.com reprinted an editorial that Mrs. Bhutto published on the web site citing the fact that President Musharraf did not provide for her protection since her first assassination attempt when she returned to Pakistan in October from exile. In fact, President Musharraf tried to persuade her to keep herself in the open (not ride in a tinted car to hide her identity on the road, not travel with private security guards). The Shadow is not saying here that President Musharraf is responsible for Mrs. Bhutto's death. But it boggles the mind why she was not given more government protection.
The Shadow urges his Pakistani readers to remain calm and not resort to violence. The government has called for a three-day period of mourning for Mrs. Bhutto. Let's have calm during that time. Mrs. Bhutto's replacement in her party needs to be elected quickly. And then, hold the elections as scheduled on January 8 and bring democracy to Pakistan.
And finally, The Shadow gives his condolences to Mrs. Bhutto's surviving family.
The Shadow will comment on this more in his year-end message next week.
Until then, good night and good luck.
posted by The Shadow at 8:08 PM
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