World leaders condemn Bhutto’s assassination

Former Pakistan Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated by a sniper bullet, minutes after addressing a rally in Rawalpindi. She breathed her last at 6.46 pm IST. Bhutto,54, is survived by her husband and three children, reports CNBC-TV18.

First off, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled the charismatic leader’s death. "I was deeply shocked and horrified to hear of the heinous assassination of Mrs Benazir Bhutto. Mrs Bhutto was no ordinary political leader, but one who left a deep imprint on her time and age. Her contributions to a previous moment of hope in India-Pakistan relations, and her intent to break India-Pakistan relations out of the sterile patterns of the past, were exemplary. In her death, the sub-continent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and reconciliation in her country. The manner of her going is a reminder of the common dangers that our region faces from cowardly acts of terrorism and of the need to eradicate this dangerous threat. My heartfelt condolences go to her family and the people of Pakistan who have suffered a grievous blow."

US President, George W Bush said, “We send our condolences to the families of the others who were killed in today’s violence. We send our condolences to all the people of Pakistan on this tragic occasion. The United States strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderers, extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan’s democracy. Those who committed this crime must be brought to justice. Ms. Bhutto served the nation twice as Prime Minister and she knew that her return to Pakistan earlier this year put her life at risk. But she refused to allow assassins to dictate a course of her country. We stand with the people of Pakistan in their struggle against the forces of terror and extremism. We urged them to honour Benazir Bhutto’s memory by continuing with the democratic process for which she so bravely, gave her life.”

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the assassination and added that India is shocked and saddened. Mukherjee stated that Bhutto’s death is a blow to Pakistan’s democracy. Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that Pervez Musharraf's lax attitude led to the tragedy.US and Russia have condemned the assassination.

Benazir Bhutto's niece Maria Raiz has said Bhutto was confident of returning to power and her legacy will continue. Bhutto's husband Asif Zardari said that the elections are a farce.

Former Prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has said Bhutto's death is a jolt to Pakistan democracy.

The assassination has triggered violence in Karachi and elsewhere in Pakistan. India has declared high alert for Indo-Pak border areas as well as all states.

Pakistan’s presidentPervez Musharraf has appealed for peace, saying that peace will defeat terrorist designs.

A Pakistan People’s Party spokesperson said that Benazir has been martyred. They added that Bhutto was shot in the neck and head by the sniper. General Secy of PPP party Riaz Khan said that Benazir was the people’s leader and she wanted to work for the betterment of the country. She was the dream and hope for Pakistan, like her father. Bhutto family has done a great deal for Pakistan. She was not afraid of death. This was cowardly attempt on her life.”

Ayaz Amir, Columnist, Dawn said the target of public anger is going to be the government and the abject failure of the government on so many fronts, especially the political front.

Vinod Sharma, Political Bureau Chief, Hindustan Times said that he cannot think of democracy in Pakistan without Benazir and stated that she rehabilitated the process of democracy in her country.

“I cannot think of democracy in Pakistan without Benazir, because she was the one who personified democracy in her country. She rehabilitated a process of democracy in her country after her father’s death. Regardless of what one thought of her politics, she was a unique person and could move the masses to tears and into breaking the barricades. There isn’t a political party today in Pakistan, which has a pan-Pakistan presence. It is only the PPP. Nawaz Sharif cannot boast that kind of presence. The politics of Pakistan is actually dominated by regional parties. If they really have a national party, it is the PPP,” said Sharma.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Journalist Karan Thapar said that she was a martyr to the cause of democracy.

“She was a woman with a hand of destiny behind her. This is a family that has had a curse on them. Her father was assassinated, both her brothers died in unnatural and unexplained circumstances and now she has been assassinated. She was an incredibly brave woman who knew that she faced death. She has succumbed today a martyr in the cause of democracy,” he stated.                    

“These are the Kennedy’s of Pakistan. Father is hanged, her brother is killed in a very murky attack and she dies. So, this is a family, which has got tragedy written all over it. But it is not just a tragedy for the Benazir family or the PPP, this is a tragedy for Pakistan trying to enter into conventional democratic politics,” said Vinod Mehta, Editor-in-Chief, Outlook.