Three years after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007, we have a distinct pattern. Around the anniversary of the murder, a flurry of activity takes place — with discussions in the media focused on the events that occurred on that cold evening in Rawalpindi as she left Liaquat Bagh. Theories abound as to whether or not she was hit by a bullet or why she stood up in the vehicle that was taking her away from the venue. But the fact is that even today, we have no idea who killed Benazir, or what their motives were. Like other assassinations that have marked Pakistan’s chequered political history, this one stands in danger of becoming a mystery forever.
This would be extremely unfortunate. The doubts and speculation surrounding the case haunt us all. We, as a nation, cannot sustain the shock and the loss of strength that comes with the brutal killing of leaders. Our democracy is too fragile to withstand such blows. Most of all, we need our political leadership to help build the foundations for the future. The loss of Benazir means the possibility of this has decreased.
There have been many rumours surrounding the killing. Some may have been intended to inflict damage on certain individuals. But people want an end to conjecture and the uncovering of the truth. The premise that the Tehreek-i-Taliban was behind the carefully planned attack may be accurate. But the matter can be settled only by the uncovering of evidence. The trail that leads away from the murder may now be cold. But it is still not too late to walk along it and try and determine what really happened on that fateful day in 2007.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2010.
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