Adil Najam
Whatever her opponents may think of her, Benazir Bhutto was a most recognized and much-loved international figure. An icon in the best sense of the word. The shock of her death - and the manner of her death - was not confined to Pakistan. As comments on our earlier post suggests, in that moment, the entire world stopped in its tracks. It was not just the most tragic of moments, but also a most historic moment.
These are the pictures of the front pages from just a few newspapers from across the United States and across the world. They are but a fraction of the hundreds, possibly thousands, of newspaper front pages that mourned her death. They make a fitting tribute to a woman who served twice as Pakistan’s Prime Minister, but was also a global citizen in heart and in spirit.
Regular readers of ATP know our fascination with newspaper front pages, which we feature often as pictures in our political posts. But credit for this fine collection goes to the South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) who have featured this collection (ATP added a few images) on SAJA Forum. My gratitude to them for this, please do visit the SAJA page where you can click on each of the front pages images for more detail in them. Additional images of international newspapers were found at another wonderful post here.
I agree its a loss but i do wonder how much though? As human, i am sad that someone died like this but beyond that, i am really not sure whether was Pakistan’s loss though. I tend to agree with CNN article “Bhutto failed to modernize Pakistan - http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/12/29/pakist an.commentary/index.html” by Irshad Manji. I lived in Pakistan during her rule and Nawaz’s, and don’t remember anything either of them did that make me remember them.
This is a great blog.
death of BB has shocked every Pakistani.but the true implications and enormity of national loss are beyond comprehension at this stage.Her death is the loss of a nation which has never fully recoverd from hanging of ZAB.If there was any hope of change in the life of a common man,that hope is dead now.
I heard you mention this blog on NPR last night. It’s very informative and well constructed. I’m going to list you as a “Fuel My Blog” friend. I look forward to reading more.
@Naved Haqqi
I must say very balanced comments. I agree with this guy that the only solution of existing (and upcoming) problems is “Education of Nation”
Thank you
Benazir was always the symbol of Pakistan to me. I always told my friends, a country that produces a leader like that and a people who elect a woman like that (we in the US have never elected one for President, yet) cannot be bad. She made me hopeful about Pakistan. Although she is gone, I am still with the people of Pakistan because of her.
Adil,
You are spot on in the post. The reaction from opponents is probably the best yardstick as to her legacy and respect.
Yesterday I was one of the 3,000 plus mourners who read a Ghaibana Janazah in Birmingham, England. This would shock all who know for I was an opponent yet I felt compelled to offer my condolences and show solidarity with the Bhutto family and above all Pakistan.
These are strange times indeed.
Typical! even after her death BB belongs more on the cover for foreign publications then she really does in Pakistan. Her life and work was more designed to the imagination of the west than being a capable leader to lead Pakistan. Her track record as a twice failed PM speaks louder then her imaginary perception in the wester publications indicated here. Good for Hollywood though to start looking for look-alike to perhaps come up with a movie in the next 3 years??
BB’s death may be good for PPP if they play their cards right. PPP can emerge as a single majority party in the upcoming elections provided they pass the helm to the VP of the party Makhdoom Amin Fahim. If they do not and let Asif Ali Zardari take the lead, then PPP will be doomed forever!! From the looks of it though, it seems that PPP is heading towards self-annihilation in the next few months!