Posted on 10/21/2007 5:33:33 PM PDT by HAL9000
I did not come this far in life to be intimidated by suicide bombers. There is a battle raging in Pakistan for the hearts and minds of a new generation. It is a battle for the future of Pakistan as a democratic nation.The new generation will choose moderation or extremism; it will choose education or illiteracy; it will choose dictatorship or democracy; it will choose tolerance or bigotry; and it will choose peace or war. I returned to Pakistan this week to lead the fight for democracy. With the blood of my supporters on the streets and on our clothes, I reaffirm my commitment to these values.
I know that the militant forces fear me as their enemy. General Zia-ul-Haq, the extremist dictator of Pakistan in the 1980s, once said that the greatest mistake in his life was not killing me when he had the chance.
The battle for the future of the people of Pakistan rages in every village and on every city street corner. The crowds that gathered at Karachi airport came from far and wide, despite the threats, despite the risk it carried. They are the real face of Pakistan, the moderate middle.
The future direction of Pakistan should be settled through fair and free elections, scheduled for later this year. The extremists will use everything in their bloody arsenal to strike and obstruct the cause of democracy. They use violence to block the people’s freedom of association and expression, to turn them away from our nation’s transition to democracy.
The attack on me was more than an attack on an individual. It was meant as an attack on all the political forces in Pakistan that want democracy. The attack was on Pakistan itself. It was an attack on the human and political rights of every citizen and on the political process.
It was intended to intimidate and blackmail all the political parties in our society. It was a warning to members of civil society.
The extremists thrive under dictatorship; they know that moderation and democracy is their undoing. They will stop at nothing to undo both.
The murderers who killed 140 people in Karachi last week violated the very heart of the Islamic message. Muslim law makes it absolutely clear that unprovoked attacks on unarmed civilians and innocent people and the destruction of property is prohibited under Islam. Their actions are hiraba (war against society). They may hijack aircraft but they cannot hijack the message of Islam.
The militants know that democracy can save Pakistan from the politics of extremism preached by warlords. They are trying to take over the state of Pakistan by attacking its political process and challenging its law enforcement.
They cannot murder the dreams and hopes of the poor people of Pakistan of democracy for a better future. The international community has condemned the terrorist attacks of October 18 in Karachi, grieved with the families of the dead, prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
All our thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with those who laid down their lives, or were wounded, and their families. They made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of democracy and the fundamental rights of the people. May God rest their souls in eternal peace.
The greatest memorial to these brave citizens will be a strong, viable and moderate democratic Pakistan.
The writer is leader of the Pakistan People’s party. She was prime minister of Pakistan from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996. On her return to the country last week, she survived a suicide-bomb attack that killed more than 130 of her supporters and injured more than 500.
Pakistan ping
She is a brave woman indeed. Too bad she didn’t do a better job of prempting this mess while she was in power.
Bhutto could have taken a helicopter instead of an entourage surrounded by 100,000 supporters that traveled only 12 km. in 10 hours, speeches along the way, etc.
She immediately talked of conspiracies against her. She was well aware of AQ/Taliban desires to kill her. What did she think was going to happen? Duh, a bomber showed up and now she can garner political sympathy and gin up a them vs. us scenario to get more votes, “I’m an outsider”, “restoring democracy”, on and on. The not-so-secret conspirators she named: Retired Brigadier Ejaz Shah (he is head of the Intelligence Bureau, which is a part of the Interior Ministry) (like our FBI)
Ijaz-ul-Haq, he is the Religious Affairs Minister and is son Zia-ul-Huq, who hanged Bhutto’s father.
And an unknown official of the National Accountability Bureau who has been investigating Bhutto and her husband Zardari for corruption.
are not that well organized with roaming hit squads, come on.
Understand that Bhutto is a clever and capable politician, a Pakistani patriot and a friend to America. We cannot kill bin Laden without her, but will have to hold our noses from time to time for her political gamesmanship.
Or she could have remained safely in exile.
She expected to be attacked and survive. It will work to her political advantage.
Gotta love her.
Hope for Pakistan.
Exactly, Hilary ain’t got nothin’ on this gal.
We couldn’t have her in exile any longer. Our State Department brokered the deal to bring Bhutto back and share power with Musharraf. We need her to allow our military into Pakistan to go after AQ and bin Laden.
I pray for her safety! If she can convince the citizens of Pakistan to turn away from extremism, it will be a remarkable feat.
A 'democracy' represents its people. If the people are majority half-insane islamofascists, so to will their 'democracy' be.
Not to pick solely on Pakistanis, the American government is also a reflection of the American people and is only as strong and virtuous as the American nation.
Bumping for later comment
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