Srijan Foundation

Was she a credible hope for Pakistan?

     BENAZIR Bhutto’s killing will send shockwaves in political circles in India. She was a frequent visitor here in recent years and had a clutch of friends and admirers in our country. As a woman, well-educated and articulate at that, she elicited and enjoyed extra consideration. However, many did not forget her overcharged rhetoric over Kashmir in the Nineties and her dubious role in promoting the Taliban in Afghanistan. So, there was mistrust of her. They were not persuaded that passing years had increased her quotient of reliability. Did we believe she was a credible hope for restoration of democracy in Pakistan? Hardly likely.Her latest foray into Pakistan politics damaged further her political credibility and democratic credentials as she appeared very opportunistic. Perhaps it is with opportunism and with conviction and principles that politics in Pakistan is possible.

When Benazir’s triumphant return to Pakistan a few weeks ago was scarred by a terrible terrorist attack and she survived, one could have well speculated: for how long? Could any security arrangement for her have been foolproof, especially as she suspected some former military figures and ISI operatives of having been in league with her would-be assassins? How could she have believed that she could do democratic electioneering, mobilise the public and address rallies, without exposing herself to suicide attacks?

      If she were the head of state or government and was protected by the vast security apparatus of the State, she could have hoped to conduct her election campaign without mortal danger, but could she have as the controversial leader of opposition? Tragic though her killing is, it was a tragedy in-waiting.

Benazir misjudged the situation in Pakistan. She felt she could return to her country, fight an election under theBENAZIR Bhutto’s killing will send shockwaves in political circles in India. She was a frequent visitor here in recent years and had a clutch of friends and admirers in our country. As a woman, well-educated and articulate at that, she elicited and enjoyed extra consideration.

However, many did not forget her overcharged rhetoric over Kashmir in the Nineties and her dubious role in promoting the Taliban in Afghanistan. So, there was mistrust of her. They were not persuaded that passing years had increased her quotient of reliability. Did we believe she was a credible hope for restoration of democracy in Pakistan? Hardly likely.

Her latest foray into Pakistan politics damaged further her political credibility and democratic credentials as she appeared very opportunistic. Perhaps it is with opportunism and with conviction and principles that politics in Pakistan is possible.

When Benazir’s triumphant return to Pakistan a few weeks ago was scarred by a terrible terrorist attack and she survived, one could have well speculated: for how long? Could any security arrangement for her have been foolproof, especially as she suspected some former military figures and ISI operatives of having been in league with her would-be assassins? How could she have believed that she could do democratic electioneering, mobilise the public and address rallies, without exposing herself to suicide attacks? If she were the head of state or government and was protected by the vast security apparatus of the State, she could have hoped to conduct her election campaign without mortal danger, but could she have as the controversial leader of opposition? Tragic though her killing is, it was a tragedy in-waiting.

Benazir misjudged the situation in Pakistan. She felt she could return to her country, fight an election under the tutelage of a military regime, win and become prime minister, with General Pervez Musharraf as president. This despite the fact that she had railed against the military in Pakistan andBENAZIR Bhutto’s killing will send shockwaves in political circles in India. She was a frequent visitor here in recent years and had a clutch of friends and admirers in our country. As a woman, well-educated and articulate at that, she elicited and enjoyed extra consideration.

However, many did not forget her overcharged rhetoric over Kashmir in the Nineties and her dubious role in promoting the Taliban in Afghanistan. So, there was mistrust of her. They were not persuaded that passing years had increased her quotient of reliability. Did we believe she was a credible hope for restoration of democracy in Pakistan? Hardly likely.

Her latest foray into Pakistan politics damaged further her political credibility and democratic credentials as she appeared very opportunistic. Perhaps it is with opportunism and with conviction and principles that politics in Pakistan is possible.

When Benazir’s triumphant return to Pakistan a few weeks ago was scarred by a terrible terrorist attack and she survived, one could have well speculated: for how long? Could any security arrangement for her have been foolproof, especially as she suspected some former military figures and ISI operatives of having been in league with her would-be assassins? How could she have believed that she could do democratic electioneering, mobilise the public and address rallies, without exposing herself to suicide attacks? If sBENAZIR Bhutto’s killing will send shockwaves in political circles in India. She was a frequent visitor here in recent years and had a clutch of friends and admirers in our country. As a woman, well-educated and articulate at that, she elicited and enjoyed extra consideration.

However, many did not forget her overcharged rhetoric over Kashmir in the Nineties and her dubious role in promoting the Taliban in Afghanistan. So, there was mistrust of her. They were not persuaded that passing years had increased her quotient of reliability. Did we believe she was a credible hope for restoration of democracy in Pakistan? Hardly likely.

Her latest foray into Pakistan politics damaged further her political credibility and democratic credentials as she appeared very opportunistic. Perhaps it is with opportunism and with conviction and principles that politics in Pakistan is possible.

When Benazir’s triumphant return to Pakistan a few weeks ago was scarred by a terrible terrorist attack and she survived, one could have well speculated: for how long? Could any security arrangement for her have been foolproof, especially as she suspected some former military figures and ISI operatives of having been in league with her would-be assassins? How could she have believed that she could do democratic electioneering, mobilise the public and address rallies, without exposing herself to suicide attacks?

 If she were the head of state or government and was protected by the vast security apparatus of the State, she could have hoped to conduct her election campaign without mortal danger, but could she have as the controversial leader of opposition? Tragic though her killing is, it was a tragedy in-waiting.

Benazir misjudged the situation in Pak

by

Kanwal Sibal

Mail Today 28 Dec 07

      Conditions  are deteriorating in Pakistan. A wave of violence is bound to be unleashed in the next couple of days, The security forces will need to be on the hihest alert.  

 Leaders civil and military must retain composure for peace to return.

LAHORE, Dec 27: Paramilitary forces were alerted on Thursday night after spontaneous protests erupted almost in all parts of the country and violence claimed the lives of eight people in Karachi and Lahore after Benazir Bhutto’s assassination in Rawalpindi.

 Intense violence was reported from all parts of Sindh, especially Karachi and Larkana, Ms Bhutto’s hometownerupted almost in all parts of the country and violence claimed the lives of eight people in Karachi and Lahore after Benazir Bhutto’s assassination in Rawalpindi.  

Fear and chaos ruled Karachi after news spread about Ms Bhutto’s death.

The ensuing violence in the Sindh metropolis claimed at least five lives while more than 150 vehicles, some petrol pumps and a hospital were set ablaze. The city descended into anarchy as armed mobs came out in the streets, to be joined later by gangsters, holding up panicked people stuck in traffic jams on major roads.

The traffic came to a standstill after hundreds of thousands of people, anticipating violence, fled their offices and sought to reach their homes. Law-enforcers were nowhere to be seen.

As fearful citizens made calls to inquire about the safety of their friends and family and learn about the traffic situation, the telecommunications networks jammed because of overloading. This sparked off rumours, further fuelling panic and the sense of insecurity.

A mob attacked Shahdadkot police station and freed 30 under-trial prisoners from the judicial lockup. Sources said that attackers had also took away arms from the ‘Malkhana’ of the Muhktiarkar’s office. Protests and violence erupted in Lahore and most parts of Punjab. The civic life was completely paralysed as shops shut down and transporters and commuters took their vehicles off roads.

PPP activists, soon after the news, came out on roads and started shouting slogans against the government. They burnt tyres, vehicles, banners of PML-Q candidates, public transport, police vehicles, offices and houses of some PML-Q office-bearers and state buldings.

Protests were also reported from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir and Multan.

The aftermath of Benazir’s assassination will reverberate for a long time.

It will affect not only Pakistan but also its relations with other countries, notably the USA. The US will allow President Musharraf some time and gauge if he can ride out the storm that is to erupt in the next few days.

     In case he manages to, he may be able to hold on for some more time. Knives will be out for Musharraf. However, they have been out before and he has managed to dodge them so far.

       The biggest strike was after 9/11, but the wily dictator managed to summersault more than once in the air and from being an ardent supporter of Taliban managed to convince the US that Pakistan has turned a new leaf. It was a valuable ally in the war against terrorism, of course only so long as he was at the helm of affairs. Will he be able to keep the unrest that is bound to be unleashed in the next few days? 

     He has been predicting chaos if the emergency was lifted. That he did so most reluctantly, after continuous admonishing from the US, and world pressure, is obvious.  He can very well say now ‘look I told you so’.

     He can now reimpose the emergency with few questions asked by external pressure groups. He can even have an election after six months or even immediately. 

     Even if the elections are staged, With Benazir gone and Nawaz out of the race the Prime Minister so thrown up will be a nobody. This will fit in well with his plan for a sham democracy for show casing, and all powers vested in himself.

      Of course, it will depend on Gen Kiyani, the COAS of Pakistan Army. He is the greatest beneficiary of the present circumstances.

     If history of Pakistan is anything to go by, Gen Kiyani  is in the shadows waiting for the drama to play out.

Musharraf must today be more scared of Gen Kiyani than any one else.