The ruling PPP and the opposition PNCR yesterday condemned the assassination of Pakistan’s former prime minister and leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Benazir Bhutto.
The PPP noted that the incident occurred just days before the country’s scheduled January 8 election, adding that without having all the facts of the tragic incident it believed some actions created the conditions for such disasters. “The dismissal of the chief justice and the judges, among other undemocratic actions, were fertile grounds for terrorists to grow,” the party said.
The PPP extended its deepest sympathy to the Pakistani people and the family and friends of Bhutto while stating that it hoped her sacrifice would assist the forces of peace and democracy to win the struggle for democracy and frustrate the terrorists who were responsible for the “this dastardly act.”
The PNCR said that those who committed the assassination appeared to be against the reconciliation of the political forces in that country and the ongoing efforts to deepen and entrench democracy in Pakistan. It pointed out that Bhutto was one of the primary leaders of the democratic process in Pakistan who was committed to the improvement of the democratic climate, the reconciliation of contending forces, the improvement of the quality of life of the people of that country and the improvement of stability in the region.
The PNCR concluded that her death must be a blow to the efforts of the democratic forces of Pakistan and a threat to the stability of the region even as it hoped that the powerful ideas and the goals for which Bhutto lived and died would be pursued by the people of Pakistan beyond her death. Condolences were extended to the people of Pakistan and to her husband, children and other relatives.
Bhutto, 54, was assassinated as she left an election rally in the city of Rawalpindi and died in hospital. Police said the attacker fired shots at Bhutto before blowing himself up.
