Assassination sabotages political modernization Comment Abdul Sattar Editor, Foreign Affairs

Cruelly cut down on climbing trail back to political power, Benazir Bhutto’s death is a tragedy of classical proportions. She was a talented and courageous leader with an educated and perceptive intellect capable of comprehending imperatives of a developing country, and assets and skills necessary to mobilize masses
yearning for reform of its stagnant social order. With no confusion in her mind that fanaticism poses the gravest danger to our nation’s progress and development and a place of respect in the world at large, Ms Bhutto committed herself boldly to lead the struggle to eradicate terrorism and restore cooperative coexistence in our variegated society.
For modernizers committed to inculcation of global values, promotion of human rights and elimination of discrimination on grounds of race, religion, language or gender Benazir Bhotto was a model, having herself broken free of antiquated prejudices. Like her father, she was a national and international figure, proud of her country and protective of its unity and strength, and aware that it needed to accelerate its march so that it would not be left behind in a fast-changing world.
Respected nationally and internationally for a potential for leadership, she was expected by her admirers at home and abroad to assimilate modern democratic values of good governance, improve fiscal management and eliminate malpractices that spread poverty and frustration in the past. If she was too combative in defence of her rule during past tenures in high office, privations of life in exile for nine years as much as her maturing mind could not but impress her with importance of building a new legacy worthy of respect in history. Assassination deprived her of that chance and Pakistan of reaping the benefits.
Benazir Bhutto’s assassination has struck a severe blow to hopes of normalization of politics and launching the state on road to inclusive democracy that were generated by return of leaders of the two largest parties and their decision to participate in the scheduled election. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has now reverted to his preference for boycott and Pakistan People’s Party Vice President Amin Fahim has declared mourning for forty days while anger and sorrow have erupted in violence across the state. Those cognizant of the desperate need for rescuing the state from chaos and confrontation must hope that government will redouble efforts to promote political consensus for transition to inclusive politics.