Benazir Bhutto’s return to Pakistan after eight years of self-exile had been mired in controversies even before Ms Bhutto had set foot on home soil. Braving the threats to her life given by jihadi elements, Ms Bhutto dared to defy them and made a comeback. When she landed in Pakistan, she received a remarkable welcome from her supporters. Alas, the jubilation of the PPP supporters ended in tears of sorrow after two bomb blasts shook the large procession in Karachi. Shots had also been fired at Benazir’s vehicle. President General Pervez Musharraf condemned the attack and called Ms Bhutto to ask about her well-being and commiserate over the loss of lives of scores of innocent people. Other government officials and opposition leaders also condemned the attack. The international community, including India, voiced concern over the attack and called for rooting out terrorism. The solidarity and support shown by world leaders in condemning the attack shows that whatever political/diplomatic differences they may have with each other, the entire world is united on one issue: eliminating terrorism.

“The attack was not on me. The attack was on what I represent. It was an attack on democracy, and it was an attack on the very unity and integrity of Pakistan,” Ms Bhutto said at a press conference on Friday. “We believe democracy alone can save Pakistan from disintegration and a militant takeover.” Though it is not yet certain who is behind the dastardly attack, Baitullah Mehsud – the militant commander who had threatened suicide attacks on Ms Bhutto upon her return – has denied that he had anything to do with the carnage. Whether his denial takes him off the list of usual suspects remains an open question. Ms Bhutto said that she knew who her attackers were. Though she did not name names and only said that General Zia’s remnants are responsible for the assassination bid, there are reports that she has accused two provincial chief ministers and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief. Questions have been raised about the security arrangements made by the government for Ms Bhutto’s homecoming, including a significant one posed by Ms Bhutto herself about why street lights had been switched off during her procession. A probe into the attack has been started and General Musharraf has called for a report on the attack within 48 hours. Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao said that the government did everything it could to protect Ms Bhutto. Though not fully certain, the authorities believe that the suicide bombing bore the hallmarks of an al Qaeda attack that might have been carried out by the Taliban. The PPP, however, is not sure if the probe could be trusted. This does not come as a surprise given the fact that Ms Bhutto has accused some retired and serving military officials, as well as some government officials, for this attack. In the interests of truth and justice, an independent inquiry must be held to make it credible. This would best be handled under the auspices of the superior judiciary.

Although protests against the attack were held all over the country, particularly in Karachi and other parts of Sindh, credit must be given to the PPP leadership for restraining its angry supporters. Apart from a handful of violent incidents, a majority of the protests were muted. The responsibility for bringing the perpetrators of this attack to justice rests with the government. This attack has once again underlined how militancy has become one of the major security concerns in today’s world, particularly in Pakistan.

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