Three years after the assassination of Pakistan’s most prominent political leader, Benazir Bhutto, we are no closer to uncovering the truth behind her untimely demise. It is ironic, strange and sad that, despite having the PPP at the helm of the country’s affairs, we are still no closer to catching the real culprits. The investigations carried out by the UN and Scotland Yard, which cost the nation millions of dollars, were not worth the paper they were written on because the Pakistani authorities have been so lax in following through on proper investigative procedures; when the trail has the possibility of leading to the highest echelons of power, it is not surprising that the case seems like an inevitable dead end.
It is a shame that the usual suspects remain shielded from the thrust of any investigations as they have not been questioned. Leading the list of suspects is former President Pervez Musharraf who, at present, is living a life of luxury on foreign shores. What is required urgently is some energy in this matter in a way that tolerates no complacency. Not only has the progress so far done a great disservice to the PPP, it has disappointed the nation as well, a nation that loved Benazir and because of its loyalty to her memory elected the PPP in 2008.
Not only was Benazir Bhutto a party leader, she was a twice-elected prime minister and the hope for a blighted nation after a self-imposed exile of eight years. It was she who blazed the path of reconciliation by authoring the Charter of Democracy to put an end to the crippling political rivalries witnessed in the 1990s. It was because of her pledge to do away with extra-parliamentary and extra-constitutional manoeuvrings that had in the past toppled governments that true democratic initiatives promised to start in Pakistan with her return in October 2007. If a personage of Benazir’s standing does not receive justice, one is forced to ponder if anyone will.The PPP government must stop dilly-dallying around now. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the findings of the murder probe will be made public soon. It is hoped that all efforts will finally be taken to bring the murderers to justice. These investigations must be taken to wherever the trail leads, no matter how high – Dailytimes
