By Parveen Chopra, IANS
New York : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has termed the assassination of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto an assault on stability in Pakistan and its democratic processes.
Expressing shock and outrage at the killing of Bhutto, Ban said in a statement: “This represents an assault on stability in Pakistan and its democratic processes. I strongly condemn this heinous crime and call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice as soon as possible.”
Conveying his condolences to Bhutto’s family, her colleagues and to the people of Pakistan, the secretary-general added, “While strongly urging for calm and restraint to be maintained at this difficult time, I call on all Pakistanis to work together for peace and national unity.”
The US Permanent Representative at the UN, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, has also mourned the tragic passing of Bhutto, who he said was his friend, and asked the global community to strive for lasting democracy in Pakistan.
In his statement, the Afghanistan born Zalmay Khalilzad, US ambassador to the UN, called Bhutto “a significant and courageous figure who became the first elected woman leader of an Islamic country and believed in democracy and the rule of law while opposing extremism and terror.”
Condemning the “cowardly and murderous actions of extremists opposed to Pakistan’s democratic processes,” the ambassador said the world has much at stake in the success of Pakistan’s democratic institutions.
“The global community should honour the memory of this courageous woman and her commitment to promoting democracy, unity and stability. A tribute to her memory would be lasting democracy in Pakistan,” Khalilzad added.