Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto address press conference in Karachi
by Benazir Bhutto (October 19, 2007)

Go back to Speeches

Islamabad October 19, 2007: Former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto addressed a press conference in Bilawal House Karachi today.

Following is the statement she made at the press conference that was attended by scores of foreign and local media.

"The PPP strongly condemns the attack on its peaceful procession last night near the Karsaz Bridge in Karachi that resulted in the killing of nearly 140 innocent people and injury to several hundreds more.

"Our thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with those who laid down their lives, or were wounded and to their families.  They made the ultimate sacrifice for the

cause of democracy and the fundamental rights of the people. May Allah rest their souls in eternal peace. Their sacrifices will not go in vain.

"I am also pained to learn that a TV camera man Mr. Arif and a number of police personnel on duty were also killed and injured. They all died in the line of duty. May their souls rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families.

"The cowardly people who planned the assassination attack on me are not Muslims. No Muslim can attack a woman. I am thankful to Almighty Allah for protecting me through the Benazir Jaanisars and the police who all lost their lives in defending me and the top leadership of the PPP including Vice President MAF, former Speaker Yousuf Raza Gillani, Secretary General Jehangir Badr, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Raja  Pervez Ashraf, Qasim Zia Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly, Leader of theOpposition in Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro, Information Secretary Sherry Rehman, Political Secretary Naheed Khan, Security Advisor Dr Rehman Malik, Senator Safdar Abbasi, Ambassador Abida Hussain, and many  others.

"Three people on our truck lost their lives. There was blood and gore all over our clothes and street was littered with dead bodies and blood.

The police bravely did their duty. Our young boys, the flower of our youth and the best of our future wrote a new chapter in courage and sacrifice by defending their sister and leadership. We remember and honour them. We honour their parents, who gave birth to such noble sons, who with their brave hands defended us against armed militants, who want to destroy Pakistan, damage the name of Islam and hurt the rights of the Muslims. I salute them and their families. Their supreme sacrifice will be written in golden letters.

"I wish to thank all the Party cadres, workers, and all those who trekked long distances to welcome me back to the country. Their support and solidarity is unforgettable.

"I also wish to thank all those who travelled with me or ahead me from far off lands. They showed great courage in accompanying me despiteknowing the hazards of doing so. To them also I say thank you.

"I have received a large number of telephone calls and messages of sympathy from all over the world. I wish to thank them all.

"What does the attack last night signify? The attack was more an attack on the unity and integrity of the country than on any individual or any one political party. It was an attack on Pakistan itself. It was an attack on their political rights, on the political process and on democracy itself.

"The attack last night was a message sent by the enemies of democracy to all the political parties of the country. It was intended to intimidate and black-mail all the political forces and elements working for democracy and human rights in the country. It was a warning not only to me and the PPP but to all political parties- indeed to the entire civil society- in the country.

"Dictatorship fuels the forces of extremism and narcotics trade. Fearing democracy, these cowards attacked a woman and unarmed innocent men and children.

"The attack was intended to warn the people against exercising their right to participate in the political process for the attainment of their social, economic and political rights.

"But let it be known to the perpetrators of the crime that the PPP will not be deterred. The Party would never allow its voice in support of the peoples' political and democratic rights stifled. We will continue to raise voice and fight for the peoples' rights, come what may.

"It is imperative for all of us to fight to save Pakistan by saving democracy. Democracy brings development and marginalizes the anti-people forces.

"We must save Pakistan, save democracy and save the fundamental rights of the people.

"The PPP will offer ghaaibana janaza prayers day after tomorrow on October 21 in all district headquarters for all those who lost their lives and also prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured. We invite all the democratic parties and forces and members of civil society to join us on the occasion.

"I thank all the people who called to condole the deaths of the PPP workers and wished an early recovery to those injured. These include General Pervez Musharraf, President Hamid Karzai, L. K. Advani, Mian Nawaz Sharif, Altaf Hussain, Indian High Commission, the US Ambassador, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, the Italian Ambassador, Senator Asfandyar Wali, and many others.

"I also want to thank the 3 million people, who came from far and wide to greet me on my return from the exile from all over Pakistan. They came from Korakarum Pass, AJK, Northern Areas, Tribal Areas, plains of Punjab, deserts of Sindh, and Balochistan, singing, dancing, full of joy in celebration to mark a return that could be a catalyst to change, to democracy. We will not let the militants destroy the hopes of our people for freedom and prosperity despite the tragedy that followed the triumph."