Pakistan's President Under Fire as Opposition Leader's Assassination Hints at Wider Crisis

Strategic Insights -

Pakistan's volatile situation seems to be spiraling out of control as the country hurtles toward disintegration, following the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. Her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, has called on President Pervez Musharraf to resign and blamed the country's "establishment" for his wife's death, rather than al-Qaeda. With the government reporting multiple explosions and violence across the country, the election commission faces a tough decision on whether to delay the upcoming polls.

Key Takeaways:

  • Asif Ali Zardari, husband of Benazir Bhutto, has called for President Musharraf's resignation, pointing to the country's "establishment" as responsible for his wife's death.
  • The government has reported al-Qaeda involvement in the assassination, but Zardari dismissed this claim, suggesting it was an attempt to muddy the waters.
  • The Peoples Party, led by Zardari and his son Bilawal, wants the polls to be held as soon as possible, fearing a delay will lead to further confrontation with the Musharraf regime.
  • Analysts believe a delay in the polls would push the Peoples Party into further strife with Mr. Musharraf's regime, potentially destabilizing the country.
  • The death toll from violence since Ms. Bhutto's death is 47, with multiple explosions and arson attacks damaging electoral offices across the country.
  • New video footage shows a man firing a pistol at Ms. Bhutto, followed by an explosion, contradicting the government's claim that she died from a head injury suffered when her head hit the sunroof lever.
  • The father, Asif Ali Zardari, is circumspect about his 19-year-old son Bilawal's role in the campaign, stating that he "may address a few rallies."

Statistics:

  • The death toll from violence since Benazir Bhutto's death is 47.
  • The government has suffered damage to some of its regional offices, which have been set on fire, destroying electoral rolls.
  • The Peoples Party wants the polls to be held as soon as possible, fearing a delay will push them into further confrontation with the Musharraf regime.
  • Pakistan's population is 175 million, with hundreds and thousands of madrassas and the Afghan arms on the border posing significant risks of disintegration.
  • The election commission's decision on whether to delay the polls could determine the country's fate, potentially leading to Somalia-like chaos.

Sources:

  • The Globe and Mail
  • AP (Associated Press)
  • The Guardian