Oh God, No!

I don't get into the issues of the Middle East much. Usually, when I do I just link to others who are more knowledgeable on the topic.

However, I've been closely following the news since they announced that the Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto was injured leaving a rally in Rawalpindi today. The worst has been announced. She died as a result of that attack. I have to admit I was scared for her when she went back to Pakistan in October.

I believe I'm moved by her death because I remember hearing that Bhutto was elected Prime Minister of Pakistan in 1988. This was significant because she was the first female to be democratically elected female to lead a post-colonial Muslim state. Now 1988 was years before people in the West realized the violent schism developing in the Muslim world.

Honestly, I was hoping it was rumor. Her wounds were severe for sure, so I was truly hoping it was people either intentionally misreporting what had happened or it was just misinformation.

However, I'm listening to Tariq Azim Khan, the Former Pakistan Info Minister, speak on CNN International and he's confirmed that she has passed away.

I'm very sad to hear it.

Rest in peace Benazir Bhutto.

More links:
Council on Foreign Relations: Pakistan After Bhutto
NY Times: Bhutto Assassinated in Attack on Rally
CNN: Benazir Bhutto killed in attack
Washington Post: Pakistan's Bhutto Killed in Attack
Time: Benazir Bhutto Killed
The Sun: Bhutto dies in bomb blast
Times Online: Benazir Bhutto assassination: the blog reaction
Pakistan Peoples Party (Bhutto's political party)
CNN: Commentary: No time for dictatorship (a recent editorial written by Bhutto)
NY Times: Musharraf’s Martial Plan (another recent editorial written by Bhutto)

Here is some video footage of Bhutto leaving the rally and also video of the confusion after the blast:

Sphere: Related Content