Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan after eight years in self-imposed exile (under some arrangement with Musharraf). Hundreds of thousands of people thronged the streets to welcome her back. There were 20,000 security officers to protect her. But nonetheless, a grenade and a suicide bomb went off in crowded Karachi. The death toll is 125 and climbing. Scores more were wounded. Pakistan is so deeply troubled.
The local blog Watandost covered her return here and the today's attacks here. The Daily Times of Pakistan also has plenty of coverage. Just today, the Boston Globe carried an op-ed by Bhutto, Journeying to Democracy, which was no doubt published around the world:
"AS I board the plane that takes me home to Pakistan today, I carry with me a manuscript of a book I am writing that will be published shortly. It is a treatise on the reconciliation of the values of Islam and the West, and a prescription for a moderate and modern Islam that marginalizes religious extremists, returns the military from politics to their barracks, treats all citizens and especially women with full and equal rights, selects its leaders by free and fair elections, and provides for transparent, democratic governance that addresses the social and economic needs of the people as its highest priority."
"....For 60 years my nation has lurched between military dictatorships and democracy. The promise that is Pakistan has been stifled by political oppression and economic stagnation. For almost a decade we have been ruled by a military dictatorship. For the last five years we have been challenged by an international terrorism movement that seems unfortunately to have the tribal areas of Pakistan at its very epicenter. These are not ordinary times, and they require extraordinary solutions."
"....As I board the plane to Pakistan, I am fully aware that the supporters of the Taliban and Al Qaeda have publicly threatened my assassination."
".Baitullah Mehsud, a Taliban commander, has said that his terrorists will "welcome" me on my return. Everyone understands the meaning of these comments. And I fully understand the men behind Al Qaeda. They have tried to assassinate me twice before. The Pakistan
Peoples Party and I represent everything they fear the most - moderation, democracy, equality for women, information, and technology. We represent the future of a modern Pakistan, a future that has no place in it for ignorance, intolerance, and terrorism." "The forces of moderation and democracy must, and will, prevail against extremism and dictatorship. I will not be intimidated. I will step out on the tarmac in Karachi not to complete a journey, but to begin one. Despite threats of death, I will not acquiesce to tyranny, but rather lead the fight against it."
What a challenge for Bhutto and Pakistan.
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