Only democracy can save Pakistan
Friday, 26 October 2007
Benazir Bhutto
I did not come this far in life to be intimidated by suicide bombers. There is a battle raging in Pakistan for the hearts and minds of a annnition. It is a battle for the future of Pakistan as a democratic nation.
The new generation will choose moderation or extremism; it will choose education or illiteracy; it will choose dictatorship or democracy; it will choose tolerance or bigotry; and it will choose peace or war. I returned to Pakistan this week to lead the fight for democracy. With the blood of my supporters on the streets and oil clothes, I reaffirm my commitment to these values.
I know that the militant forces fear me as their enemy. General Zia-ul-Haq, the extremist dictator of Pakistan in the 1980s, once said that the greatest mistake in his life was not killing me when he had the chance.
The battle for the future of the people of Pakistan rages in every village and on every city street comer. The crowds that gathered at Karachi airport came from far and wide, despite the threats, despite the risk it carried. They are the real face of Pakistan, the moderate middle.
The future direction of Pakistan should be settled through fair and free elections, scheduled for later this year. The extremists will use everything in their bloody arsenal to strike and obstruct the cause of democracy. They use violence to block the people's freedom of association and expression, to turn them away from our nation's transition to democracy.
The attack on me was more than an attack on an individual. It was meant as an attack on all the political forces in Pakistan that want democracy. The attack was on Pakistan itself. It was an attack on the human and political rights of every citizen and on the political process.
It was intended to intimidate and blackmail all the political parties in our society. It was a warning to members of civil society.
The extremists thrive under dictatorship; they know that moderation and democracy is their undoing. They will stop at nothing to undo both.
The murderers who killed 140 people in Karachi recently violated the very heart of the Islamic message. Muslim law makes it absolutely clear that unprovoked attacks on unarmed civilians and innocent people and the destruction of property is prohibited under Islam. Their actions are hiraba (war against society). They may hijack aircraft but they cannot hijack the message of Islam.
The militants know that democracy can save Pakistan from the politics of extremism preached by warlords. They are trying to take over the state of Pakistan by attacking its political process and challenging its law enforcement.
They cannot murder the dreams and hopes of the poor people of Pakistan of democracy for a better future. The international community has condemned the terrorist attacks of October 18 in Karachi, grieved with the families of the dead, prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
All our thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with those who laid down their lives, or were wounded, and their families. They made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of democracy and the fundamental rights of the people. May God rest their souls in eternal peace.
The greatest memorial to these brave citizens will be a strong, viable and moderate democratic Pakistan.
.........................................
FT Syndication Service
I did not come this far in life to be intimidated by suicide bombers. There is a battle raging in Pakistan for the hearts and minds of a annnition. It is a battle for the future of Pakistan as a democratic nation.
The new generation will choose moderation or extremism; it will choose education or illiteracy; it will choose dictatorship or democracy; it will choose tolerance or bigotry; and it will choose peace or war. I returned to Pakistan this week to lead the fight for democracy. With the blood of my supporters on the streets and oil clothes, I reaffirm my commitment to these values.
I know that the militant forces fear me as their enemy. General Zia-ul-Haq, the extremist dictator of Pakistan in the 1980s, once said that the greatest mistake in his life was not killing me when he had the chance.
The battle for the future of the people of Pakistan rages in every village and on every city street comer. The crowds that gathered at Karachi airport came from far and wide, despite the threats, despite the risk it carried. They are the real face of Pakistan, the moderate middle.
The future direction of Pakistan should be settled through fair and free elections, scheduled for later this year. The extremists will use everything in their bloody arsenal to strike and obstruct the cause of democracy. They use violence to block the people's freedom of association and expression, to turn them away from our nation's transition to democracy.
The attack on me was more than an attack on an individual. It was meant as an attack on all the political forces in Pakistan that want democracy. The attack was on Pakistan itself. It was an attack on the human and political rights of every citizen and on the political process.
It was intended to intimidate and blackmail all the political parties in our society. It was a warning to members of civil society.
The extremists thrive under dictatorship; they know that moderation and democracy is their undoing. They will stop at nothing to undo both.
The murderers who killed 140 people in Karachi recently violated the very heart of the Islamic message. Muslim law makes it absolutely clear that unprovoked attacks on unarmed civilians and innocent people and the destruction of property is prohibited under Islam. Their actions are hiraba (war against society). They may hijack aircraft but they cannot hijack the message of Islam.
The militants know that democracy can save Pakistan from the politics of extremism preached by warlords. They are trying to take over the state of Pakistan by attacking its political process and challenging its law enforcement.
They cannot murder the dreams and hopes of the poor people of Pakistan of democracy for a better future. The international community has condemned the terrorist attacks of October 18 in Karachi, grieved with the families of the dead, prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
All our thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with those who laid down their lives, or were wounded, and their families. They made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of democracy and the fundamental rights of the people. May God rest their souls in eternal peace.
The greatest memorial to these brave citizens will be a strong, viable and moderate democratic Pakistan.
.........................................
FT Syndication Service