Benazir Bhutto - SZABIST

Both the judiciary and media, two powerful pillars of the state, remain "in the line of the fire." This
state of affairs is certainly not conducive to successfully tackling the numerous challenges now facing
our nation, including the challenge of terrorism which will not be eliminated through military
operations or killing of innocent people. It will not be contained through cosmetic approaches or
campaigns motivated by retaliation and retribution.
Only a steady, measured and comprehensive approach encompassing both short-term and long-term
political, developmental, humanitarian and human rights strategies that focus on the underlying
disease rather than the symptoms would bring an enduring solution to this problem. The complexity of
Pakistan's challenges requires a non-combative approach with the full support and backing of the
people of Pakistan.
To address the underlying causes of this menace, the world community also needs to build global
harmony through mutual understanding and tolerance, promote peace and stability, pursue poverty
eradication and sustainable development and ensure socio-economic justice, political freedom,
genuine democracy and respect for fundamental rights of people, particularly the inalienable right of
self-determination.
World's major powers, our friend and allies must also recognise that a Pakistan under a democratically
elected civilian government and with stable institutions will be a more reliable, more effective and
more appropriate partner of the free world in pursuit of common goals including our common resolve
to make the world free of want and fear, and in defence of our shared values.
Benazir Bhutto's assassination is a national tragedy and a huge loss to the country's political process.
This tragedy changes the dynamics of the overall situation in the country altogether. Elections in the
current environment will further aggravate the wounds of our nation. We need a healing period of at
least six months and a remedial process, which requires an immediate change in the political
dispensation of the country.
There is no hope for normalcy under the present system in any shape or form. What the country needs
immediately is a new national consensus government with the participation of all major political
parties during the healing period. Caretakers of any breed or creed will not do. It is time for someone
to convene an all parties emergency conference to plan Pakistan's recovery from its current political
morass.
We as a nation are at crossroads of a critical juncture. The stakes are very high. We need to wind
down our confrontational and combative mode before it is too late. We cannot afford any more
national tragedies and debacles. Pakistan owes its existence to a courageous and visionary lawyer and
constitutionalist wedded to the rule of law. Let us revive the Quaid's legacy. Let us behave as a
civilised nation.
Benazir's legacy!
The Nation
December 29, 2007
Raoof Hasan
Benazir Bhutto's elimination from the national political scene is a monumental tragedy pregnant with
grave consequences for the country and its future. She is the third in line of the Sindhi prime