Benazirbhutto.org - Return to Pakistan

Islamabad October 26, 2007: The Foreign Minister of Greece Dorav Bakoyannis has expressed shock and grief over the terrorist attack on the rally of October 19 that resulted in the killing of 140 people and injury to over 350 people.

"Please accept my deepest and most sincere condolences. Our thoughts are with the families of those who have been killed or injured", the Foreign Minister said in a letter addressed to Mohtarma Bhutto..

"I am certain that such acts of blind violence will faster even more your vision for the future of your country and will in no way deter Pakistanis from selecting their representatives through democratic elections" Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis further said..

It is with great grief and shock that I was informed about the terrorist attack on the convey following your arrival in your home city, Karachi, which took place yesterday, ending with the tragic loss of more than 130 people.

I am certain that such acts of blind violence will faster even more your vision for the future of your country and will in no way deter Pakistanis from selecting their representatives through democratic elections.

Please accept my deepest and most sincere condolences. Our thoughts are with the families of those who have been killed or injured.

Federal Minister Steinmeier condemns attacks in Pakistan

Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the following
statement on the two bomb attacks in Karachi, Pakistan:

*"The German Government condemns in the strongest possible terms the
horrific attack in Karachi which claimed more than 150 lives.*

*The brutality of this vile act fills us with abhorrence.* *It stems
from the utterly unjustifiable desire to destroy Pakistan's democracy.
This must be combated with determination.*

*We share the grief of friends and family and wish those who were
injured a speedy recovery. The perpetrators and instigators of this
attack must be found and brought to justice."*

The bomb attacks took place just a few hours after the return from exile
yesterday of Benazir Bhutto, leader of the Pakistan People's Party.

ISLAMABAD October 21, 2007: The US Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice rang up Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto today and expressed sympathy over the loss of innocent lives in the attack on her rally on return to Pakistan.

Ms Rice said that she was heartened that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto escaped the assassination attempt. Ms Rice also condemned the attack and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families.

ISLAMABAD October 20, 2007: Rahul Gandhi, the son of former Indian Prime Minster Rajiv Gandhi and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, today telephoned Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to express grief and shock over the bomb attack on her rally that resulted in the loss of 140 innocent lives and injury to over 350 people.

Rahul Gandhi said that he was shocked over the incident. He said that it was reassuring that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto survived the attack.

ISLAMABAD October 20, 2007: The French Ambassador Regis de Belenet called on Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto at Bilawal House Karachi today and expressed sympathy over the loss of innocent lives in an attack on her rally on return to Pakistan.

The Ambassador said that the Government of France was heartened that she escaped the assassination attempt. He said the French Government condemned the attack. He also expressed sympathies with the bereaved families.

Ambassador Regis de Belenet also delivered a letter to her. Following is the text of the letter:

"Madam,"

"Immediately, after the appalling attack which targeted you in Karachi, in the night of Thursday to Friday, Mr. Bernard Kouchner, the French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, asked me to convey to you his shock and outrage."

"We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, this terrorist bomb attack and the colossal loss of innocent lives. We offer our condolences and sympathies to all the victims' families and loved ones."

ISLAMABAD October 20, 2007: The President of Libya Moammar Al Gaddafi telephoned Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto today and expressed sympathy over the loss of innocent lives in an attack on her rally on return to Pakistan.

The Libyan President said "Thank Allah that you were saved." He said that the Government of Libya condemned the attack which he said was a grisly crime. He regretted the loss of innocent lives. The Libyan president also advised Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to be careful about her security.

The first lady of Libya Madam Safia also spoke with Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on the occasion and said that she was shocked over what had happened and was sad for the innocent lives that were lost in the attack. She said that the people of Libya have great affection for the people of Pakistan. She also invited Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to visit Libya.

ISLAMABAD October 20, 2007: British Foreign Secretary David Miliband telephoned Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Saturday evening and expressed concern over the attack on her rally and inquired about her welfare. He said that the British Government condemned the attack and acts of terror.

Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto thanked the British Foreign Secretary for his concern and sympathy and said that she has asked the Government of Pakistan for impartial inquiry into the incident, and the need for providing security to enable free political participation in free and fair elections.

ISLAMABAD October 20, 2007: The President of Socialist International, Georgios Andreas Papandreoi, rang up Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto today and expressed sympathy over the loss of innocent lives in an attack on her rally on return to Pakistan.

The Socialist International President and twice minister in his country said that the Socialist International condemned the attack.

Georgios Papandreoi said that Socialist International was heartened that she escaped the assassination attempt. He also expressed sympathies with the bereaved families.

Meanwhile the Socialist International has issued the following statement condemning the bombing:

"The Socialist International vigorously condemns the horrific bomb attacks targeted against Benazir Bhutto upon her return to Pakistan, which resulted in the deaths of more than a hundred people and the wounding of many more in Karachi."

"The International extends its deepest sympathy to the people of Pakistan and especially to the families of all those killed and injured in this despicable act."

"Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan declaring her goals of establishing a democratic rule of law so that the military can return to the barracks; building democratic governance that treats all citizens and especially women with full and equal rights; and ensuring transparent, accountable rule that addresses the social and economic needs of the people as its highest priority."

"The International fully supports her efforts, and the work of our member, the Pakistan People's Party which she leads, in achieving these goals, and reaffirms its solidarity with them and with all those in Pakistan who share these objectives and continue to act with courage and determination in the face of such criminal violence."

ISLAMABAD October 20, 2007: The Egyptian Ambassador in Islamabad rang up Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto today and expressed sympathy over the lost of innocent lives in an attack on her rally on return to Pakistan.

The Ambassador said that the Government of Egypt was heartened that she escaped the assassination attempt. He said the Egyptian Government condemned the attack. He also expressed sympathies with the bereaved families.

Islamabad October 20, 2007: The World Political Forum has also sent a
letter to Mohtarma Bhutto welcoming her return home.

"Dear Ms Bhutto,

The World Political Forum greeted with great pleasure Your return in Pakistan, Your beloved country, and accompanied it with the most sincere wishes that Your vows could be realized.

Having heard the news of the occurred disorders and of the numerous victims that have unfortunately been counted, our thoughts are with You with renovated friendship and admiration for the courage and abnegation with which You want to achieve the restoration of democracy and of a pacific life in Your homeland.

Islamabad October 20, 2007: Messages of sympathy and condemnation over the attack on Mohtarma Bhutto's rally continue to pour in from national and international leaders as well as from well wishers, sympathizers and the general public.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called Mohtarma Bhutto on the phone last night to express sympathy over the loss of more than hundred lives and injury to several hundreds in an attack on her rally on return to Pakistan. The Indian Prime Minister condemned terrorism and acts of violence and said that he was pleased that Mohtarma Bhutto survived the attack and remained unharmed.

Manmohan Singh said that he and all people of India learned with profound grief and sorrow of the attack on her, her convoy and the loss of some many innocent lives. He said that the evil of terrorism needed to be rooted out that we all must work together towards achieving this end.

The Indian Prime Minister also conveyed his heartfelt grief and sorrow over the death to the bereaved families.

Indian Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi called Mohatrma Benazir Bhutto this morning to condole with her the killing of so many people in the blasts during rally in Karachi. She said that she was horrified to learn from media reports about the massive loss of human lives. Sonia Gandhi also said that she was happy that Ms Bhutto survived the attack.

The Opposition leader in the National Assembly and MMA leader Maulana Fazal ur Rehman also called Mohtarma Bhutto to condole the death of so many innocent lives in the attack. He said that he was pleased that her life was saved and she remaind un hurt.

Earlier former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, MQM leader Altaf Hussain , ANP leader Senator Asfandyar Wali Khan, and the high commissioners and ambassadors of the US, India and Italy also called her to express their sympathies.

Mohtarma Bhutto has thanked all those who have called Bilawal House in Karachi or otherwise expressed sympathies with her over the horrific incident.

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Statement issued by Shri L.K. Advani Leader of the Opposition (Lok Sabha)
New Delhi – October 19, 2007

I am aghast at the news of the terrorist attack last night on the convoy of Benazir Bhutto in Karachi, within hours of her return from her eight-year-long exile abroad. The reported deaths of more than 125 persons in two bomb blasts show that the perpetrators of this barbaric act wanted to inflict maximum damage on an event that held the promise of the return of democracy in Pakistan. I am relieved that Ms. Bhutto has survived this bid on her life.

It is an irony that, at a time when tall claims are being made about Pakistan’s democratization, one former Prime Minister, Mr. Nawaz Sharief, was recently prevented from returning to his own country and another former Prime Minister, Ms. Benazir Bhutto, has been ‘greeted’ by a terrorist attack on her arrival.

I have always been of the view that Pakistan’s stability and progress, as also the normalization of India-Pakistan relations, are best guaranteed by the establishment of genuine democracy in that country, combined with a resolute fight against religious extremism and terrorism. Last night’s shocking incident in Karachi leaves no doubt whatsoever that the battle for democracy and the battle against terrorism are inter-related.

I join fellow Indians in conveying our solidarity to the people of Pakistan in this arduous two-pronged battle.

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