Adil Najam
Benazir Bhutto was assassinated three years ago today, December 27.
Two years ago on the first anniversary of her death we had carried a post asking “What If She Had Not Been Killed?” Of course, this is not the type of question that has a real answer. But as the discussion on the question showed there is value in thinking about such speculative notions nonetheless. This year, to mark her third anniversary, we wish to ask a slightly different question: “What would Benazir think of today’s Pakistan?” Of course, we realize that none of us can know or guess what she might actually think. But in thinking about it maybe we will come to grips with what we ourselves think and bring some clarity to those thoughts.
So, dear readers, do please let us know what you would think Benazir Bhutto might think about today’s Pakistan.
Two days ago as I was driving in Karachi on my way to the airport I was stuck by all the huge bill boards and posters that were everywhere in commemoration of this day. All had huge pictures of Benazir Bhutto, most also had pictures (sometimes not as large) of Zulfiqar Ali Bhuto, and many also had pictures of Asif Ali Zardari and Bilalwal Bhutto (plus of whoever had paid for the poster in the first place). I realized that Benazir Bhutto is now the principal and most beloved icon and symbol of her party. Maybe even more so than her father!
What, I wondered, would she make of that?
The world was in utter shock at Benazir’s death. And many still are. The memories of the assassination are still fresh for many of us. And, yet, so much – so very much – has changed. This was even true two years ago, when I had written: “An elected government holds power. Benazir Bhutto’s arch-nemesis Gen. Pervez Musharraf is no longer President of Pakistan. Her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, is. We still do not know who was behind her death, but speculation remains rife. The economy remains in nosedive. An energy crisis is upon us. Drones pound us on the West. And Pakistan continues to lose both territory and citizens to the extremists who continue to wage a war within Pakistan and on Pakistan. Most of all, anger and angst still define the social disposition.”
What might have Benazir made of all of this had she been alive? What might she be thinking on this day? What are you thinking? How have things turned out that are different – or the same – if Benazir had actually survived the attack?
I think it’s a shame that we did not get to see Benazir in politics in what would have been her first round without the overbearing influence of Zardari. It was being said that she had become a much more experienced and mature Benazir, whose time away had made her realize just how much of a liability her husband was for her. Perhaps we would have had an elected government that actually had the support of the people, and was willing to stand up to the military.
Some people keep thinking that BB sacrificed her life for Pakistan. As if she knew she would be murdered. Had she known that she would be murdered, she would have still be hiding in Dubai or UK, the preferred retirement location for Pakistani politicians after their loot.
See the fate of trio and their families, responsible for dismembering Pakistan. The Mujeebs, the Indra Gandhies and Bhuttos.
Her interest and success were the strongest points in my arguments whenever I had to defend the concerns of woman rights abuse
and their second class citizen treatment in Pakistan. Now that is taken away.
She did have many good qualities like any average Pakistani women but her father’s encouragement that groomed her well (probably he noticed her interest) and above all her love for the country and its people was immense.
The best tribute to her is to expose her murderers even if it is limelighting some big names or hurting the nations prestige (like if theres any left). It will be good for the country in the long run.
May be it was the overwhelming emotional outburst (south Asians best asset) that she forgot small steps for her own security knowing that she was the number one target. But then again it comes with the territory and she was courageous.
Losers! She uttered, hovering lower from the skies, then she gave a soft look to her children, spreads her wings and flew away.
benazir is dead. may God(SWT) forgive her and rest her in peace. we are still alive and are all participants in the tragedy of pakistan. shouldn’t it be more relevant what we think about its state of affairs?