Murtaza Bhutto

The political fallout of Murtaza Bhutto's killing is not easy to gauge, but it is
likely that the PPP will have to pay a heavy price in rural Sindh in the next
election. Although his party did not do well in 1993, he was a popular figure,
especially among the youth. But at the national level, the fact that a serving
prime minister's brother has been killed by the police signals serious political
weakness. Unless the PM acts swiftly and decisively against those responsible
for this tragedy, hers might well become a lame-duck administration until the
next election, unless moves are made against her government even earlier. It
is doubly sad that a death in the family could well be a harbinger for a decline
in Benazir Bhutto's political fortunes. But it's a dog-eat-dog world, especially
at the top. Meanwhile, I join the whole country in mourning the death of
somebody I met only once, but Murtaza Bhutto impressed me with his charm,
intelligence and presence. May his restless spirit find eternal peace, and may
his star-crossed family find the courage to bear yet another loss.
Murtaza Bhutto; Copyright © www.bhutto.org
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