Benazir Bhutto

A couple of days has past since the former Prime Minister of Pakistan was killed by ... well, by someone or something, depending on what the Pakistani government's PR folks want to sell you as "the truth." From my limited perspective, I can only wonder how someone of her stature gets killed and there is no state funeral where dignitaries from other countries have a chance to say goodbye. The rush to bury her has a boat load of conspiracy theorists already in a tizzy. So, I won't dwell on this as it will only add fuel to the fire that is burning in South Asia.

The future of Pakistan is truly at stake now that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said he will boycott any elections there. Ok, so the rationale is that by not participating in an election, you can usher in democracy? Sounds a little wonky to me. By stepping out of the election process, Mr. Sharif has simply given "President" Musharraf the green signal to do what he pleases. It will be a defacto dictatorship, without the military regalia. The political vacuum that will be felt in that country will have repercussions around the world.

Who will emerge as Pakistan's leader and when are the biggest questions as we turn the corner on 2007 and jump into 2008?

Thanks again to A Photo A Day, here is a link to a New York Times feature showing Benazir Bhutto's last minutes.

[This is by sheer coincidence post #1300 here on Tiffinbox ... make of it what you will ...]