Will the Real Benazir be exposed?
I consider anyone who categorically fits the description of the following statements, as a traitor to the country I love; Pakistan;
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If a Pakistani whoever they may be; states that they will allow foreign troops inside my country to attack my countrymen is a traitor in my eyes.
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If a Pakistani whoever they may be; states that they will scrap the nuclear program of Pakistan is a traitor in my eyes.
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If a Pakistani whoever they may be; states that they will allow foreign powers to take charge/control of our nuclear assets, is a traitor in my eyes.
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If a Pakistani whoever they may be; threatens to maim the intelligent agencies and the military is a traitor in my eyes.
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If a Pakistani whoever they may be; states that they will allow foreign agencies to detain and interrogate Pakistan’s national hero AQ Khan, is a traitor in my eyes.
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If a Pakistani whoever they may be; writes a letter to the U.S state department requesting the stoppage of aid to Pakistan, and demanding political support to convince the Indians to attack the Pakistani military on the eastern borders, is a traitor in my eyes.
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If a Pakistani whoever they may be; accuses Pakistan of state sponsored terrorism against India (Effectively calling Pakistan a terrorist state) is a traitor in my eyes.
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If a Pakistani whoever they may be; threatens to abolish the death penalty for crimes of murder is a traitor in my eyes.
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If a Pakistani whoever they may be; threatens to abolish the institution of madrasses (Madrasses; being the only source of education for the poor in Pakistan) is a traitor in my eyes.
There is one particular Pakistani that fits the bill for all of the preceding statements, and that Pakistani is none other than the “greatest hope for Pakistan” the “saving grace of a torn nation” (drum roll) Mrs. Benazir Bhutto herself.
Now that she has passed on, I do not feel that I have the moral grounds to accuse her of being a thief. This is so as no institutional authority in Pakistan has sentenced her as being guilty of crimes, of corruption, theft and money laundering. However it is imperative to point out the following;
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On January 26, 2006, Interpol (Interpol; being an international criminal police) issued red notices (Red notices; being requests for arrest and extradition) for Benazir Bhutto and her husband. The red notices were issued on the charges of money laundering and theft.
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On August 6, 2003, the Swiss government charged her and her husband of money laundering and sentenced them both to six months in prison, a fine of $50,000 and an order to reimburse the Pakistani government a sum of $11 million.
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The countries of Switzerland, Poland and France provided evidence of her corruption and proof of her total wealth estimated between the ranges of $750 million to $1.5 billion.
Benazir Bhutto was like a blue chip stock, filled with never ending potential. It is the greatest tragedy for Pakistan and for her that she was unable to translate her power with the masses, her potential, and her immaculate charisma in doing something beneficial for Pakistan. It is also demeaning and sad that a member of a patriotic Pakistani family; the Bhutto’s, had their daughter in the last years of her life slide into what some may call as being an anti-Pakistan element.
The legacy of Benazir Bhutto will be widely debated, and will no doubt include passion and controversy. Although, I may have negative views about her legacy, I will have to admit that she most certainly was passionately loved her largely illiterate supporters.
Benazir Bhutto despite her many flaws, was without a shadow of doubt a brave woman. She constantly stared death for the better part of her life, but yet she never flinched, nor did she ever blink under the many, diverse threats to her life. Her death, symbolized the growing dangers of instability and terrorism in Pakistan. Her vigor to fight the terrorists head on was commendable. We as Pakistani’s must acknowledge her bravery and the fact that she stood up tall, chin up against evil barbaric terrorists.
