Bhutto Assassinated

In the morning when I picked up the paper - I didn't believe the headlines. "Bhuto Assassinated". Shock, disbelief and worried - my initial reaction. Benazir Bhutto was ex-prime minister of Pakistan, first woman to lead an Islamic state. She led Pakistan from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996. Later, President Farooq Leghari dismissed her second administration amid accusations of corruption, intimidation of the judiciary, a breakdown of law and order, and undermining the justice system. After 8 years of self imposed exile, Bhutto had returned to Pakistan to stand for the Jan 8. But with her exit, the equation has changed.

Initially, I was reminded of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. Only similarity is both are from political background and both were assassinated. I was not comparing the situation but rather the feeling of what a nation will be going through, the change in political landscape and long term implication of this.

Though Al Qaeda has claimed the reponsibility, conspiracy theories are rampant. Mushraff could have been involved. All the militant groups who hated Bhutto could have finally succeeded. I can't rule out Nawaz Sharif, who is leader of Muslim League-N party. Just my instincts in the last one.

Sadly, I am not familiar with different policies of parties in election and who may win. But for sure, it is not going to be the same. I will read up and add on here.

Bhutto's orbituary on CNN. Good read: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/12/27/bhutto.obit/index.html