Still in shock..

I’m still incredibly disturbed by Benazir’s assassination. Regardless of political platform or view, no one deserves to be assassinated. On top of that, how can someone assassinate a woman? There is definitely tragedy in this affair.

When I first read about Benazir’s assassination, I felt like crying. In fact, I may have shed a few tears. I met her on two occasions and remember her to be a very personable and friendly woman. While I may not agree with her political view, I still admired and respected her.

The first time I met her was in Abbottabad, when she inaugurated the first women’s police station in the area. I met her for the second time in Ottawa after a talk she had given at the NAC. We were invited for the cocktail party after the function and had a chat and some photos taken with her. She was looking forward to return to Pakistan and to see the PPP take power again.

I still admire her, but I am completely disheartened by the way the PPP has selected it’s next leader. I find it difficult see a party who doesn’t democratically elect it’s leader to be democratically elected by its nation. It is true; the PPP is a family party – formed by the Bhuttos. It is a dynasty. It is not the Pakistan People’s Party, but the Bhutto Family Party.

I’m frightened when I think of what all of this means for Pakistan in the times ahead. It doesn’t seem like it will ever be like the place many of us have come to know for so long. Only Time will be the judge.

~ by nayya on 14 January, 2008.