Pakistan’s exploding politics

Senior Fareeha Haq was glued to the live footage broadcasted on several Pakistani news stations, watching footage of the bombing near former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s caravan in Karachi. She expressed her concern for the many loved ones who live close to the area.

“ I couldn’t stop watching it. The footage was really eye opening because you could see the bodies and it was like I could almost feel the chaos. It was really surreal because some of my family lives close to the area and I kept hoping and praying that no one that I knew was affected by it. Thankfully no one was,” said Haq.

Haq was among one of the many AHS students monitoring the news coverage of the bombing from home.

“It was really awful; I got to see the footage on Pakistani news. It was really sad, there were dead bodies all over the place, and so much blood,” said sophomore Summia Farooq.

The former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was following a rally in support of her return when two immensely destructive bombs detonated near the front of the vehicle. The bombs killed 146 people and wounded 250.

“It’s (the bombing and the clamor surrounding the bombing) is pointless because she shouldn’t have even been there to begin with. She was safe from harm because she was inside her armored car, unfortunately her supporters did not receive such protection. She was warned by law enforcement officials not to parade at night, yet she still did it to attract attention,” said senior Hina Ghaffari.     
Other AHS students hope that these recent problems within the government don’t affect everyday life in Pakistan. “ I hope things will be fine when I go back this winter break,” said junior Hassan Spall.

Senior Misha Yasar watched the internet footage of rescue workers and injured people. She was shocked by the recent events especiallysince things were going so well.

“ I was surprised, I did not think anything was going to happen this time especially because things seemed to be going so well after her arrival,” said Misha Yasar.

Yasar an avid supporter of Bhutto asserts that she still has hope, “ I still believe that Pakistan will be able to survive this calamity as it has before. I think Bhutto is a step in the right direction,” said junior Summer Aleem.

Not all have such an optimistic outlook to her return, “Pakistan is and always has been a very divided society and has no agreement on political processes. It seems that a return of any political figure would not even begin to help the depth and extent of many of the problems that are associated with the country,” said social studies teacherJohn Hawes.   

“She is another step in the direction to turn Pakistan in to a more westernized state, which is not wrong in itself but the way (she) is doing it is wrong.  I don’t agree with her policies, especially the fact that she would be willing to let troops into the country and the fact that she wants to collaborate with President Musharraf” said Ghaffari.

Much of the paranoia that is associated with Pakistani politics is well deserved. Benazir Bhutto, the daughter of the first Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who was hanged by Gen. Mohammed Zia ul-Haq’s regime in 1979 on charges of murder, is the first female Prime Minister of a Muslim Country, she has held the position for two separate terms. But her office was taken away due to allegations of corruption. After two years of serving as the Prime Minister she faced charges of corruption and failure to control ethnic violence. Returning from two years of political exile she took an oath for her second term as Prime Minister in 1993, once again her term was unsuccessful as she was dismissed amid accusations of nepotism and undermining the justice system. On October 5, 2007 Pres. Gen. Pervez Musharraf confirmed that Bhutto won’t be tried for the crime she was accused of. The bill dropped all charges against Bhutto including amassing properties and overseas bank accounts and during her two terms as prime minister. Other charges against her husband — including several of murder — are also expected to be dropped under the order signed by Musharraf.
The future of Pakistan remains uncertain for many. “I’m not sure I want to go back after what happened…it’d be very sad to see Pakistan in the state that it is now. I remember when I went there recently . There was so much hope for a better future and political stability. Now I just don’t know what will come to the country,” said senior Yasar.