October 18, 2007
Deadly Blasts Hit Convoy Carrying Bhutto
UPDATED.
Benazir Bhutto escaped an apparent terrorist attack in Karachi, marring what was to have been the former prime minister's triumphant return to Pakistan and to power. Officials later revised an already grim death toll to 126, with 240 wounded in the two explosions near her convoy.
Television footage showed vehicles on fire and bodies on the ground. Officials said Bhutto had been escorted to safety.
Bhutto had been living in exile since 1999 on what she contends are trumped-up corruption charges. She remains the leader of Pakistan's largest political party, and was greeted with wild enthusiasm from tens of thousands of supporters upon her return today.
General Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's deeply unpopular leader, reached out to Bhutto last summer in a bid to remain in power. Under an agreement that's yet to be finalized, the two will jointly lead the country.
Despite the questionable means by which Musharraf is holding on to power, he seems to be doing so with Washington's blessing. Musharraf has pledged his cooperation in the war against Islamic extremists; it's not clear whether a government that was truly democratically elected there would be so friendly.
Bhutto has said that the war on terrorism will be a priority for her as well. Soon after arriving in Karachi earlier today, Bhutto told the London Guardian, "We want to save Pakistan from extremism. The terrorists are trying to take over my country, and we have to stop them."
