Today is a sad day for the world. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated earlier today following a campaign rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Bhutto was perhaps the United States' last hope in bringing stability to Pakistan and the region. Bhutto, in much contrast to President Musharraf, was adamant in her opposition to terrorist groups, especially al-Qaeda, which find refuge in Pakistan's western border with Afghanistan. She was a long time outspoken opponent of extremism and was someone who could have truly been the greatest asset to the U.S. in the true war on terror.
I admit that while I have long said that Bhutto was a great woman and a great leader, I did not fully realize the extent that her passion and love for her country went. That changed today when I began seeing interview after interview with Bhutto on television.
She was truly a brave and courageous person. She did not have to return to Pakistan after her exile. She did not have to hold public rallies. She did not have to seek another run as Prime Minister. But, as she explained in numerous interviews, Bhutto did all those things because she simply wanted to make her country a better place for its people.
Bhutto said many times that she knew her life was at risk every second of every day, but she continued her tireless fight for democracy and peace nonetheless. She was willing to give her life for her country, and today, she did just that.
Bhutto should be a role-model for every politician in the world. She didn't think about herself; she thought only of the Pakistani people and their needs.
Now, Pakistan is once again in turmoil. A hero has been killed. What is next for Pakistan, the most dangerous country in the world? I, nor anyone, can even begin to say what comes next. All I do know is that Pakistan, America, and the world has lost a tremendous person today. This tragedy should serve as an omnipresent reminder to all that this world is volatile and unpredictable. Everything can change in a heartbeat, and today it did. We, in America and abroad, need leaders who are capable of responding correctly and effectively to these sudden changes. Let that serve as a lesson learned from this tragedy.
Photo Credit: MSNBC
