RAWALPINDI, Islamabad — December 28, 2007. An attack on a political rally killed the Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto
near the capital, Islamabad, Thursday. Witnesses said Ms. Bhutto was
fired upon at close range before the blast, and an official from her
party said Ms. Bhutto was further injured by the explosion, which was
apparently caused by a suicide attacker. Ms.
Bhutto was declared dead by doctors at a hospital in Rawalpindi at 6:16
p.m. after the doctors had tried to resuscitate her for thirty-five
minutes. She had shrapnel injuries, the doctors said. At least a dozen
more people were killed in the attack.
When I Return to PakistanBy Benazir Bhutto
Thursday, September 20, 2007
I am returning to Pakistan
on Oct. 18 to bring change to my country. Pakistan's future viability,
stability and security lie in empowering its people and building
political institutions. My goal is to prove that the fundamental battle
for the hearts and minds of a generation can be accomplished only under
democracy.
The central issue facing Pakistan is moderation vs.
extremism. The resolution of this issue will affect the world,
particularly South and Central Asia
and all Muslim nations. Extremism can flourish only in an environment
where basic governmental social responsibility for the welfare of the
people is neglected. Political dictatorship and social hopelessness
create the desperation that fuels religious extremism.
Throughout
Pakistan's 60-year history, weaving between dictatorship and democracy,
from free elections to rigged elections to no elections, religious
fundamentalists have never been a significant part of our political
consciousness. We are inherently a centrist, moderate nation.
Historically, the religious parties have not received more than 11
percent of the vote in national elections. The largest political party
is mine, the Pakistan People's Party
(PPP). Pakistan's political landscape has been molded primarily by the
moderate PPP, which has demonstrated strong and continuous support from
the rural masses and the urban elite.
Extremism looms as a
threat, but it will be contained as it has been in the past if the
moderate middle can be mobilized to stand up to fanaticism. I return to
lead that battle.
I have led an unusual life. I have buried a
father killed at age 50 and two brothers killed in the prime of their
lives. I raised my children as a single mother when my husband was
arrested and held for eight years without a conviction -- a hostage to
my political career. I made my choice when the mantle of political
leadership was thrust upon my shoulders after my father's murder. I did
not shrink from responsibility then, and I will not shrink from it now.
I am aware that some in Pakistan have questioned the dialogue I have engaged in with Gen. Pervez Musharraf over the past several months. I held those discussions hoping that Musharraf would resign from the army and restore democracy.
My
goal in that dialogue has never been personal but was always to ensure
that there be fair and free elections in Pakistan, to save democracy.
The fight against extremism requires a national effort that can flow
only from legitimate elections. Within our intelligence and military
are elements who sympathize with religious extremists. If these
elements are not answerable to Parliament and the elected government,
the battle against religious militancy, a battle for the survival and
future of Pakistan, could be lost. The military must be part of the
battle against extremism, but as the six years since Sept. 11, 2001,
have shown, the military cannot do it on its own.
Many issues
remain unresolved in our political structure. Musharraf is precluded
from seeking reelection in or out of uniform. Pakistani law requires a
two-year wait before a member of the military can run for the
presidency. The general can respond to the people's desire for
legitimate presidential, parliamentary and ministerial elections, or he
can tamper with the constitution. The latter choice would risk a fresh
confrontation with the judiciary, the legal community and the political
parties. Such a confrontation could lead to another declaration of
martial law, civil unrest, or both.
Civil unrest is what the extremists want. Anarchy and chaos suit them.
The
political element in Musharraf's party that presided over the rise of
extremism has worked with every Pakistani administration since my
government was destabilized in 1996. Its members are blocking the
democratic change I have tried to achieve with Musharraf. They fear
that democracy will be difficult to manipulate to the benefit of
extremists and militants.
My dialogue with Musharraf aims to move
the country forward from a dictatorship that has failed to stop the
tribal areas from becoming havens for terrorists. The extremists are
even spreading their tentacles into Pakistan's cities.
Last week
brought a fresh challenge. Just days ago, Pakistan's election
commission arbitrarily amended the constitutional provision regarding
the eligibility of a person competent to contest for the office of
president. As the constitution can be amended only through a two-thirds
majority in Parliament, a judicial hornet's nest has been stirred.
My
party and I seek fair, free and impartial elections to be held by an
independent election commission under an interim government of national
consensus. We want a level playing field for all candidates and parties.
In words commonly attributed to Joseph Stalin,
"Those who cast the vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote
decide everything." That's why we have stressed electoral reforms --
although our efforts have so far been in vain.
President Bush
has rightly noted, "The most powerful weapon in the struggle against
extremism is not bullets or bombs -- it is the universal appeal of
freedom. Freedom is the design of our maker, and the longing of every
soul."
When my flight lands in Pakistan next month, I know I will
be greeted with joy by the people. I do not know what awaits me,
personally or politically, once I leave the airport. I pray for the
best and prepare for the worst. But in any case, I am going home to
fight for the restoration of Pakistan's place in the community of
democratic nations.
Read Christopher Hitchens tribute to Bhutto