NPR: Bhutto Returns to Pakistan

Bhutto Returns to Pakistan

Supporters of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto try to get a glimpse as she passes by in a procession today in Karachi, Pakistan.

John Moore/Getty Images

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan today after eight years in exile. When she arrived in Karachi, she was greeted by tens of thousands of jubilant supporters.

Bhutto described her return as a "miracle," and members of her Pakistan People's Party who accompanied her on the flight clapped and cheered when her plane touched down.

Security was high in the city following a series of assassination threats against Bhutto from Islamic militants. Authorities tried to stop her from undertaking a long procession through Karachi to the tomb of Pakistan's founding father, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, but she was undeterred: "I do not believe that any true Muslim will make an attack on me because Islam forbids attacks on women, and Muslims know that if they attack a woman they will burn in hell."

Bhutto is expected to seek the prime minister's office for a third time in upcoming elections, but some political observers in the country have expressed a deep skepticism about the power-sharing negotiations with President Pervez Musharraf that allowed her to return. (She fled the country in 1999 to escape corruption charges.) They say that by agreeing to support the president in return for legislation that wiped out the charges, she compromised her political independence.

In Washington, however, her election would likely be viewed positively because she and Musharraf are seen as pro-Western.

Update: The Associated Press reports that two explosions have gone off near a truck carrying former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. An official said at least 100 people were killed. While Bhutto was not hurt, the second, larger blast went off just feet from the front of the truck carrying her. The blast shattered windows in her vehicle.

9:55 AM ET | 10-18-2007 | permalink

Comments

Its another dark day in Pakistan's history. I am saddened to know that Pakistanis could not find a good and honest leader in the last eight years!! or so. Its a country of 150 million people and leaders like Bhutto and Musharraf are being installed. In my opinion her return is the mockery of Pakistan's judicial system!!!

Sent by anser azim | 2:27 PM ET | 10-18-2007

You can see what the Pakistani people and press think about the bombing at www.foreignviews.com

Sent by Alex | 12:20 PM ET | 11-02-2007

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