Karachi Bombings

It was supposed to be a day of welcoming for Benazir Bhutto, the former prime minister of Pakistan. But what started as a celebration turned into a tragedy.

The streets of Karachi, Pakistan were filled with fans cheering with welcome arms for Bhutto. She was returning after an eight-year self-imposed exile for the Pakistan national elections. While her convoy made its way to the tomb of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, two explosions occurred halfway from Bhutto’s depart from the airport. The explosions took place in front of the rallying truck from which she greeted her supporters.

Benazir was unharmed and was escorted safely away from the scene. But while she left uninjured, the same could not be said for mass of people who had been following her. The blasts hit the crowds and two police cars shielding her rallying bus, killing 136 and injuring hundreds more.

There was a great ripple effect sent throughout the crowd. People running for safety, fearing another attack; others calling out for those lost in the crowds. But amongst all the panic, many in the crowd became Good Samaritans, doing what they could to get the injured to hospitals.

With such a powerful attack, there has so far been no claiming for the responsibility of the bombings. However suspects captured are believed to have ties to either Al-Qaida or be supporters of the late military ruler Mohammed Zia ul-Haq. Zia overthrew Bhutto's father President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1977 and 2 years later hanged her father. Bhutto was quoted saying, “I know exactly who wants to kill me. It is the dignitaries of the former regime of General Zia who are today behind the extremism.” Along with her suspicions, Bhutto questions why the streetlights failed after sunset when her convoy was making its way through the streets. She said attempts to reach the national security adviser to have the lights restored were unsuccessful due to phone lines being supposedly down.

The attack is said to be the deadliest the country has ever experienced. Bhutto said she wants to strengthen ties with American forces, and would help in the search for Osama bin Laden- a reminder that America is not alone in the war on terror. Said U.S. Department of State spokesperson Tom Casey: "There is no political cause that can justify the murder of innocent people. Those responsible seek only to foster fear and limit freedom. The United States stands with the people of Pakistan to eliminate terrorist threats, and to build a more open, democratic, and peaceful society.”

While Karachi recovers from its tragedy, the nations of the world offer their condolences to the people who were in the Karachi bombings.