Violence has erupted throughout the country of Pakistan after the suicide bomb attack that had killed opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and twenty other people. This has throw much doubt on the upcoming parliamentary elections on January 8. It is a grave crisis for Pakistan as it tries to transition from military rule to a more democratic rule.
While a lot of fingers are pointing at Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, members of the PPP have pointed their fingers at President Pervez Musharraf and his administration for failing to protect her along with trying to cover it up. As Ms. Bhutto was the core of the PPP, the party itself is now in chaos as they try to find a suitable successor.
While her son, 19-year-old Bilawal is set to read her will on Sunday, he is only a law student and too young to lead a major dynasty. The current choices are between Bhutto’s husband, Asif Ali Zardari, and Bhutto’s top aide, Makhdoom Amin Fahim.
“Everybody in the party knows that they have to stick to the legacy of Bhutto and without that legacy, they are nobody,” according to Naham Sethi, editor of the Daily Times.
The leadership of the PPP are also due to meet in Naudero, Bhutto’s home town to discuss the possibility of successor and to see if they should contest the election if it goes ahead on schedule.
The other opposition party led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has stated it would boycott the elections. It has been trying to convince the PPP to do the same thing.
Musharraf’s government has not made any announcement on postponing or calling off the vote. But, an emergency meeting will be planned on Monday by the Election Commission.
Many PPP loyalists blame Zadari for tainting the Bhutto name. Political opponents accuse him of corruption.
Most of the leadership is from the feudal class that owns land. At the same time, the big following comes from the uneducated poor wanting democracy. Amongst her supporters, there is still strong anger directed towards Musharraf.
While Musharraf blames Al-Qaeda, Bhutto’s supporters demand that he show them concreate evidence. So far, militants linked with Al-Qaeda have denied the killing.
Baitullah Mehsud’s spokesman said: “We don’t strike women.”