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Send to friendPakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was killed today at a political rally near the capital, Islamabad. News reports have said that she was shot just after addressing her supporters in a rally. A suicide bomb then exploded, further injuring Bhutto and resulting in the deaths of at least 20 other people.
Bhutto had left Pakistan amidst corruption charges where she would have been prosecuted by the military regime if she had not left at that time. Recently, she returned to Pakistan when she had brokered a deal with the military regime. While she stood for democracy, her deal to get back into politics in Pakistan also seemed to have posed a significant challenge to her image and supporters,
There is speculation that her funeral will be held in the next 24 to 48 hours. This has raised concerns about what will happen during the funeral. The mourning process is always very emotional. Her supporters will be reliving her assignation in just a day or two after the event rather than after a breathing space.
Her assassination comes just days after President Musharraf lifted the state of emergency. This tragic event raises concerns about far more violence arising in the coming period. The military is clearly not able to maintain control. This may lead to either further escalation of the use of the military - especially if the upcoming demonstrations in Pakistan are not strictly peaceful. The military would certainly use any hint of violence as a reason to crack down again with great force. If another state of emergency is called there will not be a chance for free and open elections in Pakistan – if that was even a possibility at all anyway. Perhaps another possibilitiy will emerge, that the current military leaders will be more willing to
sacrifice President Musharraf in order to put another face into the
“driver’s” seat to maintain their long term interests.
Pakistan World Opinion survey poll
I came across a very interesting survey by WorldPublicOpinion.org in collaboration with, and with financial support from, the U.S. Institute of Peace. Even though the survey was conducted from Sept. 12-18, just before President Pervez Musharraf declared a six-week state of emergency and before the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto it raises some critical questions.
For me, one big question regards the sample of people surveyed. Generally, differences are notable between urban and rural populations and this particular survey makes me think that there may be a serious divide between the urban and rural populations in Pakistan.
This survey had a sample that included 907 Pakistani urban adults, selected using multi-stage probability sampling, who were interviewed at home in 19 cities.
In the conclusion it states, "public opinion reveals majority support for a moderate and democratic Islamic state, though a small but significant minority shows sympathy for Islamist militant groups." I wonder if the rural populations would have a different or even reverse opinion trend from their urban counterparts.
Use this link to read more: http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/home_page/440.php?lb=hmpg1&pnt=440&nid=&id=
Nancy Pearson, New Tactics Program Manager
Nancy Pearson, New Tactics in Human Rights Training Manager