Who stands to gain the most from Benazir Bhutto’s assassination? Her supporters and those of Nawaz Sharif say President Musharraf. But being an outsider (and perhaps not the best informed) looking in, I don’t think Gen Musharraf, knowing the scrutiny he already faces by countries such as the US, would risk the aid that Pakistan is getting.
   Who would? The Taliban.
   Get intelligent but politically passionate Pakistanis pointing the finger at each other and have them weaken themselves. Then, divide and conquer.
   What is interesting to this discussion is that in November, CNN ran a story on its blog and the comments, many from Pakistanis, tell an interesting story. Numerous commenters are in support of President Musharraf, quite a different picture to what western media have been showing over the last two months.
   I believe they paint a more accurate picture of her popularity, or lack thereof, than what the MSM can muster. Certainly Pakistanis are better equipped to talk about their own nation than bloggers like me.
   That, too, must move the finger of blame away from the Government.
   Ms Bhutto’s level of popularity may have made her an easier target for terrorists, as she was prepared to hold political rallies that might not be as well attended as she wished.
   I believe we can agree that Ms Bhutto said she was prepared to stamp out terrorism in her country, so on that note she is as much a threat to the Taliban just as the President is. President Musharraf has been the target of similar assassinations, so far unsuccessful.
   The Taliban and al-Qaeda have shown that they are prepared to use such techniques in the past, so why should things differ now? And if Benazir Bhutto made an easy target, more so after the lifting of the state of emergency in Pakistan on December 15, then they were bound to take the opportunity. Thirteen days is a long enough time for the terrorists to group and act.
   Whomever we are dealing with here, it is safe to identify them as cowards who have little respect for Islam or, for that matter, basic human principles. It is not too hard to point the finger at terrorist groups. Posted by Jack Yan, 12:15  permalink

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