Benazir Bhutto

BENAZIR BHUTTO is dead. Like hundreds more in her country, she too became a victim of a mindless bomber. This is the sad reality confronting Pakistan today. Terrorism has engulfed Pakistan like a cancer and in the end, Bhutto had to pay with her life.

This is not the first time that Bhutto, Pakistan’s first woman Prime Minister, was targeted, but the attackers succeeded yesterday. Soon after her return from exile in October, terrorists tried to assassinate her. Nearly 140 people were killed in that explosion.

Pakistan has been facing a tumultuous year, with changes in the political landscape as well as an increase in terrorist activities. More than 770 people have been killed in 40 suicide bombings this year alone.

The militants have not taken kindly to President Musharaff, a staunch ally of the US-led War on Terror and he himself has survived assassination attempts.

Next year will be an even more challenging year for Pakistan, as it prepares for full civilian rule following a General Election in January. Bhutto and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif both returned from exile to spearhead political campaigns. The militants are opposed to the election and have vowed to disrupt it.

It will not be easy to change this situation overnight, but Pakistanis should rise to the challenge. A General Election and a return to democracy is nevertheless Pakistan’s best chance to turn the tide. Bhutto will be sorely missed as Pakistan seeks to overcome the challenge of terrorism and lawlessness.

Bhutto caused a revolution in Pakistani politics. Educated at Oxford and Harvard, became the first female prime minister of a Muslim country when she took the helm in Pakistan in 1988. She firmly believed in democracy.

She once said that she would not rest until democracy had returned to Pakistan. She could not realise this dream. But it will not be impossible for the Pakistani people to achieve. The election offers a glimmer of hope for Pakistan and terrorists should not be allowed to take that chance away.

Countering LTTE threats

The LTTE has spread its tentacles everywhere and has become a global terrorist organisation. Its front organisations operate in many countries around the world, raising funds for arms procurement. But next to Sri Lanka, the country that has been affected most by the LTTE is our neighbour India.

Although certain forces in India initially encouraged the LTTE in its formative years, the tide turned against the movement after its assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The LTTE lied low for a number of years afterwards in Tamil nadu, but there are signs that the LTTE is raising its head again in the Southern Indian States.

Several pro-LTTE politicians in the State have been actively promoting the cause of the LTTE recently. Tamil Nadu police have banned rallies held in support of the LTTE. Indian Police have also arrested LTTE operatives engaged in gun-running.

Indian intelligence agencies, Security Forces and Government authorities have woken up to the threat posed by the LTTE, especially its air capability. The latest manifestation of this urgency is

the Indian Coast Guard’s plan to set up an Air-Station in

Tamil Nadu or Puducherry to deal with any threat from the LTTE.

Likewise, the Indian Navy and Air Force have also intensified patrols and reconnaissance to counter any LTTE threat.

The Sri Lanka Navy has also intensified patrols in the Palk Strait. There has been a proposal for joint patrolling by the Indian and Sri Lankan Navies in the Palk Strait. This is a proposal that should be looked at seriously.

An Indian delegation was in Sri Lanka recently to discuss enhanced cooperation in the defence sphere. This is a positive sign that does not augur well for LTTE terrorism.

The recent reiteration by Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon that India has not changed her policy towards the LTTE is a reassurance that India will stand by Sri Lanka. India has always stood for Lanka’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. India’s blessings and help will be much needed as we seek a solution to the ethnic conflict.