On the night of October 18, 2007, two blasts occurred at the welcoming procession of thousands of people, arranged for arrival of Benazir Bhutto, the Chairperson of the Pakistan People Party, after her self exile of eight years. More than 130 people were killed and about 550 injured. The government of Pakistan claims that the bomb blasts were suicide attacks by Muslim fundamentalist militant groups, whereas Benazir Bhutto and her spouse accused the Intelligence Bureau of being responsible for the attacks. Ms Bhutto also believes there is a conspiracy to killing her and her whole party leadership by some important persons in the government. She asked why the street lights were off when her procession was moving at a snails pace.
The government of Pakistan has still not announced any inquiry into the incident. On the other hand several ministers and political personalities in the government are blaming Benazir Bhuttos arrival as the main cause for the bombing and are demanding the postponement of general elections for at least one year which are scheduled to be announced on November 15.
The Asian Human Rights Commission condemns the bomb blasts at the welcoming procession of Ms Benazir Bhutto and tragic loss of lives. The AHRC expresses its condolences to the members of grieved families, whose dear ones lost their lives while dreaming of democracy, freedom of expression, freedom to right of selecting their representatives in the government, right to have opportunities of livelihood and right to live in freedom without threats from army personal in their affairs.
The AHRC is of the firm view that the objective of the bomb blasts was to deter the people of Pakistan from participating in the political activities of their own choice and to create an atmosphere of fear throughout the country. It is very obvious that when military is not ready to transfer the power after having eight years of self rule, it will resort to any means to try to encourage those forces who are against the democratic set up and secular way of governance.
The motives behind the blasts are to pressurize the forces who are struggling for democracy, rule of law, peace, secular political system, transparent governance free from the threats of military dictatorship.
If these blasts were not in any way connected with the government, as claimed by some ministers, the government must still answer for its gross negligence. It was known, and even government was very well aware that some militants had threatened to kill Bhutto as she has a secular agenda for the future. The main question that arises is as to why the streets lights went off when she reached at a point where there are no buildings and structures. The government is totally avoiding this question.
The AHRC urges that an inquiry commission be formed under the senior judges of Supreme court, which should give its report within a fortnight. Furthermore, compensation must be paid to the victims immediately.
The ban on political activities in the country should be immediately withdrawn and government should allow the political process should take its own course.
