January 02, 2008	Wednesday	Zilhaj 22, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Jan 1: Citizens from all strata of life continue to pay homage to slain PPP leader Benazir Bhutto and condemn the hidden hands that eliminated another fearless Bhutto.

Writers, intellectuals, political workers, members of civil society and journalists at a condolence meeting, organised by the Aurat Foundation here Tuesday eulogised the fallen leader, who had earned the distinction of being the first elected woman prime minister in the Muslim world, at numerous ceremonies.

The participants said the death of the former premier was a great loss not only for the country but also for the communities around the world.

They condemned the brutal killing of Benazir Bhutto, rejected the investigation by government agencies and demanded an independent probe into the tragedy.

Describing her assassination a conspiracy to sabotage the struggle for restoration of democracy and rule of law in the country, they demanded resignation of President Musharraf because, according to them, the government failed to provide security to Ms Bhutto.

“The sense of loss that filled millions of hearts across Pakistan can not be compensated but the grief should be changed into struggle to mobilise the people to work for collective good and revival of democracy in the country which was the life long mission of Shaheed Benazir”, remarked Harris Khalique.

Senator Babar Awan of PPP termed the assassination of Benazir as target killing as government did not provide enough security to Ms Bhutto. She died at the hands of anti-democracy and retrogressive forces that were afraid of her popularity and imminent victory in the elections, he said.

It was extremely courageous of her that she did not give up her election campaign in the face of open threats to her life. In fact she took up the campaign after surviving a double bomb attack on her in Karachi on October 18 which killed almost 140 of her admirers.

A bold and courageous leader indeed who never compromised on principles and paid the price with her life for that in the end. Her struggle and sacrifices will always be remembered, Mr Awan added.

Senator Awan said, Benazir was a politician of international repute. The entire nation shed tears on her death.

Aurat Foundation representative Naeem Mirza said that the assassination of Benazir was a huge sacrifice. “After the assassination of Benazir no one could trust the government as its involvement in the crime was widely suspected”, he remarked.

Poet Kishwar Naheed, talking about the leadership qualities of Ms Bhutto said that she was a born leader who kept people of different sections and regions united and her loss was irreparable in that sense.

She also paid poetic tribute to the great leader.