Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS
London : British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto, assassinated Thursday, returned to her country in the full knowledge that her life was in danger because she was convinced that her country needed her.
His condemnation was echoed across Europe, where there was unanimity that in spite of the tragedy, democracy must not be allowed to be derailed in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, members of the large Pakistani community in Britain – many of who are supporters of Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan Peoples Party – were said to be in a state of shock.
“This was too sudden. No one has recovered yet. How could this happen in Rawalpindi of all places which is a garrison town and the intelligence service base?” a member of the community told IANS a few hours after the slaying.
Expressing his shock at the killing, David Miliband said: “Benazir Bhutto showed in her words and actions a deep commitment to her country. She knew the risks of her return to campaign but was convinced that her country needed her.
“In targeting Benazir Bhutto, extremist groups have in their sights all those committed to democratic processes in Pakistan. They cannot and must not succeed.”
In Paris, French President Nicolas Sarkozy condemned what he called “this odious act”, adding: “More than ever it is necessary for the (Pakistani) legislative elections to… take place in conditions of pluralism, transparency and security.”
In Moscow, foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said Russia hoped that “Pakistani authorities will provide for national stability” in the run up to general elections scheduled for Jan 8.
He said Moscow had repeatedly expressed concern that the Pakistani government “must do its best to ensure the maximum stability in the election period and prevent terrorist acts against Benazir Bhutto and other political leaders”.
The role of the British government has been key in moves to restore democracy in Pakistan, working behind the scenes to facilitate Bhutto’s return to her homeland after eight years in self-imposed exile.
Miliband and Bhutto met in London in September where they discussed the dangers to her life.
Informed commentators in London say whoever assassinated Bhutto wanted to stop the elections and that the role of the army would be crucial in the coming weeks. Diplomatic commentators say the army’s voice will be crucial in whether President Pervez Musharraf decides to go ahead with the elections or postpone it fearing social and political unrest.
The army, these commentators say, has been hesitant to take hard decisions of late.
In many ways, London had long been a second home to Benazir Bhutto.
Not only did she study at Oxford Uiversity, but also made Britain – and particularly London – her intermittent home through her years in politics. After her father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged in 1979, Benazir chose London to make her home, living in a small flat in Barbican, central London, with her sister Sanam.
In every way, it was in Britain that Benazir was tutored in the basics of democracy – a luxury she could not afford in her natural home.
In later years, although she made Dubai in the United Arab Emirates her political office in exile, she continued to frequently visit London and hold discussions with the British government.
Opposition Tory leader David Cameron condemned the “appalling act of terrorism”, saying it had “put at risk hopes for the country’s return to democracy”.
The French government, like its British counterpart, stressed its commitment to restoring Pakistan’s democracy.