JEDDAH, 28 December 2007 — Editors and political observers in the Middle East reacted with shock and horror at Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. However, after condemning the heinous crime, most of them admitted it was a tragedy that was waiting to happen. In fact, they had clearly seen it coming.
“Benazir’s assassination is sad but, I think, it was inevitable,” George Williams, editor in chief of Bahrain’s Gulf Daily News, told Arab News.
“The way things were going, I just knew the killing would take place sooner or later. However, what will happen in the aftermath of the assassination is now a source of grave concern. There’s little doubt the assassination will deepen the political crisis and disrupt the election process in Pakistan.”
He added, “It seems Pakistan can only be ruled by the military and, right now, there is no alternative to military rule in the country.”
Grim as it may seem, there are many takers for Williams’ line. Osama El-Sherif, political analyst and former editor in chief of Jordan’s Addastour and The Star newspapers, concurred.
“I had a very bad feeling about Benazir’s arrival in Pakistan. And when she had a close shave on landing in Karachi, I was vindicated. I knew it was only a matter of time before she was assassinated. After all, the politics of the Subcontinent is the politics of blood.
“As a young journalist, my views of the politics of the land were cemented after I had the chance to interview Gen. Zia-ul Haq after he had sent Benazir’s father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, to the gallows. I remember him shaking my hands very hard as I left and inviting me to Pakistan. However, before I could plan my visit, he had succumbed to the deadly game of Pakistani politics himself.
“In Pakistan, you can’t separate politics from militancy. And Benazir’s assassination has landed the country on the brink of chaos.”
Francis Matthew, editor at large of Dubai-based Gulf News, added: “I am absolutely shocked at the news of Benazir’s assassination. But when she went to Pakistan, Benazir knew very well of the danger that was lurking there. She admitted the danger herself and feared for her safety.”
On the political implication of the assassination, Matthew said, “In the light of Benazir’s assassination, the impending election, if it takes place at all, will become meaningless. And in the event, whoever wins, should take the mandate as a short-term one till such time all political parties including the PPP, which will be the worst hit, can find their bearings.”
Ajit Kumar Jha, editor in chief of Doha-based Qatar Tribune, draws a parallel between the current state of affairs in Pakistan and a book by Tariq Ali titled “Can Pakistan Survive?”
“Tariq’s book is more relevant than ever before in Pakistan today as it had also raised the same concerns and questions about governance that the country is facing now in the aftermath of Benazir’s assassination.
“In the last few months, President Musharraf has destroyed even the semblance of governance by throwing caution to the wind and jailing important Opposition leaders and preventing others from entering the country.
“Now, with this heinous crime, the question is being asked yet again: Can Pakistan survive? In the light of Benazir’s assassination all I can say is that Pakistan is more dangerous than Iraq. The only solution may be to form an all-party government. And there is no room for delay any more.”
Shadaab Bakht, executive editor of Sharjah-based The Gulf Today quipped: “I knew the end was near for Benazir. By returning to Pakistan, she had put her life in danger because she, more than anybody else, knew that violence and Pakistani politics is in extricable. And I fear the cycle of violence will not end here.”
However, Saleh Zakwani, publisher of Oman-based Apex Media, for one, did not expect Benazir’s bloody end. “No, I did not expect this to happen,” he said. “I am shocked at the news of Benazir’s assassination. And I can only hope and pray that Pakistan recovers from the tragedy soon.”
