The Barren Hope
I was never a fan of Benazir Bhutto. The fact was evident in my words when I was interviewed by BBC Radio service in lieu of Emergency situation. 27th December’s evening changed the political scene of Pakistan; though I won’t say permanently – there’s nothing permanent in this ever-changing universe. Everyone, who was speaking against her and her policies, was stunned at the suddenness of God’s will. By ethical rule, when someone dies we place our conflicts aside and pray for the lost soul. May Allah bless her soul, Inna lillah e Wa Inna Alayhe Rajeyoon. The first thought, after her assassination, was of her young children. She was a mother first and then a politician. Its not going to be an easy time for them.
If I take a look back the only time I ever liked her was ‘93. I was a 9 year kid, she was contesting for PM’s seat – she looked beautiful and she was a woman. But thats past now.
The media is as usual sending sensational waves across the country. Some claiming it as the biggest loss of Pakistan in years, some think Pakistan is going to suffer badly after this killing. Some are still in shock and disbelief to provide any theory. Haven’t we seen many leaders killed before?? I agree killing is BRUTAL but associating it with my country’s downfall is even more BRUTAL. Isn’t it? If she would have died a natural death in her London home; do you think the situation would have been the same?? An unnecessary elevation?? Just a thought thats wandering inside my mind since yesterday.
Since yesterday everyone is shouting that the lone soldier of democracy is killed; what will happen now. What if the democracy comes at the cost of billions of rupees (transferred from Islamabad to the Zurich)? Reading the international press & blogs, I found this article, somewhat reflecting my own thoughts (not every word though):
Benazir Bhutto was a ‘pro democracy proponent’? Benazir Bhutto was a ’soldier for democracy’? On what planet?
Benazir Bhutto was Pakistan’s Arafat.She stole billions of dollars from her nation and was forced to leave office twice because of corruption charges and allegations she had her own brother assassinated. Her husband spent 8 years in prison, convicted of those corruption charges.
The other side is frightening. Everyone went berserk after the assassination. Mobs came out and causing massive destruction to the national machinery. The very thing happened this time too; cars were burnt, buildings were burnt. This show of anguish and fury is intolerable. Ruining someone else’s property is not a display of courage, its not anger either; it shows the undernourished thoughts of a brainless soul. I’ve switched all the news channels for past 3-4 hours, watching Pakistan in agony is not easy. When I think about the person whose life depended on his selling cart, his sole business asset, which is now, thanks to the people who are mourning, being broken by the hooligans; I go numb. And this is happening all around Pakistan. rangers have called for shoot on sight for such hooligans; I very much welcome the command. please do so, they deserve thy shots!!
Islamabad is calm, apart from a few tyre burning events, the city is nearly in shutdown state. I tried to sum up my thoughts in a post on Islamabad Metroblog (please do have a read 
); Al-Qaeda’s trying to claim the responsibility. God knows what happened actually.
I’d end on the prayer Hina shared with us on her blog.
To You we complain of our weakness, our failure, our shame before the people. O Most Merciful! You are the Lord of the weak and oppressed. So to You we complain of our weakness, to You we complain of our weakness. O Allah! Bring down Your help and support!!! Allahumma Ameen!
Ciao – with a grieved heart!
The post is cross-posted at Phil’s – The Canvas
What else we goona see as a nation, We can only Pray!
Benazir died…? Who cares? She was rotten to the core. She came back to the Pakistan only because she was running out of money. She was bringing up her children on haram money. Her assassination and the hanging of her father were two milestones in the history of Pakistan. We don’t need anyone else as long as President Musharraf is with us.
Long live Pakistan and its Army.
To be honest Asma Baji, I was finding it extremely difficult to even offer dua for her or for her supporters who died in the blast, so to speak. After what she did with our country I don’t have any sympathy or soft corner for her in my heart.
She had it coming, what goes around comes around.
Lastly thankyou so much for sharing the prayer Hina Baji had posted, it sums it up all. May Allah give us all Hidayat….. ameen
My prayers are for the nation. We don’t know the whole truth. We can’t tell who is right, and who is wrong. Conspiracies, deception through media, etc.
Allah help us!
I’m worried about my university.
A mob attacked it!
I agree with you that the death of Benazir, the person, can not bring about the downfall of Pakistan. However, the significance of the event of her death lies in the fact that she was the leader of a political party that was widely expected to do rather well in an upcoming general election.
It is an ill-omen for the development of democratic institutions in the country, just as the recent scuttling of an independent judiciary was.
As for corruption, the political system in this part of the world is so rotten that honest politicians, if any, are hardly allowed to rise, as the system is largely populated by corrupt people.
Apart of it that what kind of politician she was but another victim of terrorism.There are hell of ways to show anger but all time we assuage our thrist by damaging our own ocountry’s properties worth billions..For heaven’s sake ..sab say phelay Pakistan!!
I tend to agree with Hina that we do not know the truth..the real truth…and I don’t think we will ever come to know but having seen and read about the geopolitical scenarios I think it is much more than what meets the eye. It is a conspiracy against the existence of Pakistan planned by world powers and executed by occupiers of our motherland.
As a person I pray for her and all those who lost their lives…they are gone..and sooner or later we will follow. The best we can do for our fellow muslims is to pray for them specially when they can not do so for themselves.
” Dushman marey tey khushi na karye…sajnaan wi mar jaanan”
Allah bless our country and everyone on this planet with guidance
being not completely familiar with the political reality in pak, i am afraid that after Ms. Benazir there may not be any politician worth the blood to be eligible for the post of PM in these times of Pak. India too saw its share of bad times in form of emergency, but then whether fortunately or otherwise the GoP of India recognised its mistake and things rectified. I hope the political system of Pak too gets the same realisation.
Asma I m disagree to your point of view and perspective about Benazir.