Bombs Target Bhutto

We sadly update a report on the deaths of 128 people from a suicide bombing in Karachi aimed at assassinating former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The bombings took place last Thursday, October 18th, amid warnings by the Pakistan Taliban calling for a suicide bombing at her arrival; however, to date, no group has claimed responsibility. Bhutto had over 20,000 security forces surrounding her yet relations with Musharraf are tense as accusations arise questioning whether the forces intentionally failed to prevent the attacks. Investigations into the Bhutto bombings are now lead by Saud Mirza, the chief of criminal investigations in Karachi. Previously, Manzar Mugha lead the investigation until Bhutto accused Mugha of being present to the 1999 torture of her husband, Asif Zardari. Claims by the former prime minister of government collusions in the bombing were disregarded by the Pakistan government as were her demands that western experts help inquire of who should be named responsible of the attacks. Despite the attack, Bhutto pledges to travel the country to meet with the public, in hopes of accumulating more support for the upcoming elections. Ironically the bombings increased her popularity and support across Pakistan and through out the world, yet it is to be decided if that support will crossover into votes. The largest concern, from a conflict prevention perspective, is not who will be the next president or prime minister, but how that person will begin to stabilize Pakistan as it increasingly displays a growing volatile atmosphere. Sadly, another blast in Pakistan killed 30 citizens today. The attack, linked to similar strikes against the military since the storming of the Red Mosque in Islamabad, demonstrates the urgency of the situation and begs one to question how much control the Pakistan government really has over its country. But we mustn't point fingers; instead we must realize how deep the root of the problem really goes. In Musharraf's quest to demonstrate U.S. allegiance in fighting terror, he ordered the storming of the Red Mosque and is now facing heavy reproaches from the Taliban. U.S. aid to Pakistan tops 8 billion, but mostly targets the military and not infrastructure or social reforms. The people are therefore much easier swayed against Musharraf and the central government, while local security needed to counter attacks is struggling against the relentless Taliban. Please read our Perilous Course report on U.S. aid to Pakistan and how we might change our assistance to better stabilize the country.