Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Bold, popular leader

The PPP leader’s assassination has robbed Pakistan of a bold, determined, moderate and popular leader. The senseless act of the fundamentalists has plunged Islamabad into yet another political turmoil. Gen. Musharraf’s regime has miserably failed to stem the rising tide of terrorism. The growing resentment against his policies should galvanise the democratic and secular forces in the country into forging a viable national alliance to redeem democracy.

A. Leelamohan Rao,

Guntur

S. Raghavan,

Chennai

At this rate, Pakistan will have no leader with modern views. The people of the country who have realised the advantages of extending a hand of friendship towards neighbouring countries should unite to fight against terrorism and for growth and development. Terrorists have no religion and scruples and can train their guns on the very same people who support them.

K.V.L.N. Sharma,

Secunderabad

The dastardly assassination has nullified all efforts at democratisation of the troubled nation. The subcontinent has lost a liberal leader and another young campaigner for universal peace and camaraderie.

K. Chidanand Kumar,

Bangalore

Benazir was a charismatic and brave leader, who sought to contest the election knowing well the grave dangers it portends to the contenders. Pakistan needs the strength and energy to get over the crisis her assassination has posed, and march towards democracy. As its immediate neighbour, India should sincerely hope it succeeds in overcoming the situation.

Lt. Col. R.V.S. Mani (retd.),

Madurai

The people of Pakistan have lost their prime ministerial hope. An advocate of democracy, Benazir could have made Pakistan a trustworthy friend of India. Islamist fundamentalists are gaining deeper roots in Pakistan, and this does not augur well for India. At least from now on, the two countries should fight terrorism together.

R. Madhavan,

Chennai

The hope of democracy that Benazir offered to the people of Pakistan has taken a severe beating with her assassination. The passion with which she came back to the country knowing that her life was at stake will be remembered forever.

A.P.V.S. Naga Mohan,

Newark

Thursday was a black day for Pakistan and the whole world. Benazir was a popular leader. She was the only charismatic and capable leader who could have taken Pakistan to greater heights. How tight was her security during the rally? The fact that the assassin shot her in the throat and chest shows how close he got to her car.

Chinmay Mukhi,

Bangalore

With the death of Benazir, Pakistan has lost its most secular voice and the world one of its towering women leaders. The cowardly act of terror must be condemned in the harshest terms.

Pakistan is faced with only two options — another spell of martial law or complete takeover by Wahabi mullahs. It will be a nightmare for the whole world if the country’s nukes go into the hands of the mullahs.

Syed Hasan Kazim,

New Delhi

The loud and clear message from the tragic death is: never be soft on terror. If we remain unmindful of what is happening in Pakistan, we will witness such incidents in our soil too. We have remained soft on terror for a fairly long time and we may have to pay a heavy price if we continue to remain so. We need to deal with terror with an iron hand.

R. Venkita Giri,

Thiruvananthapuram

Once again, terrorists have demonstrated that they can strike at will. The assassins have shattered the hopes of a nation that was limping back to democracy. Benazir symbolised the democratic aspirations of a nation that has been under military rule for long.

T.N. Venugopal,

Kochi

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Bold, popular leader
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