18 October 2007________A Day of Gratitude For Us?

18^th October 2007 has its own importance in the history of Pakistani politics due to the reason that PPP`s chairperson Ms. Benazir Bhutto was attacked on this day on her return to Pakistan after about nine years.

She was near Karsaz Flyover leading the convoy of thousands of PPP workers and supporters when the suicide attackers exploded themselves near her truck. As a result, dozens of people were killed and wounded however, Benazir Bhutto was luckily safe.

That attack astounded not only the government of the time, but also frightened entire Pakistan. Although countless conspiracy theories emerged in this respect, but no one could lead to the concrete supporting proofs pointing out to the culprits. Even the PPP`s own federal government presided by its co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari also failed to bring the conspirators to justice.

Anyway after the 18 October`s attack, Benazir Bhutto started her election campaign countrywide. She led countless rallies and held public gatherings in various parts of the country. Finally, 27th of December came when she had to address a public gathering in Liaquat Bagh ground, Rawalpindi. When she finished her speech to the public and tried to return from there in her prado, she was attacked again. Unfortunately, she could not escape it this time; she lost her life along with many others.

As soon as the tragic news spread all over the country, the re-action of the people started coming out in the form of blocking roads, burning tyres, shops, banks and other public as well as private property. But, Karachi had to face the worst form of violence that continued for about five days. Hundreds of vehicles, shops, factories and offices were burnt to ash. Banks and their ATM`s were looted by the "protesters". On top of these, not only many people were burnt to death, but also countless women were raped. All that happened in the name of "re-action" of Benazir Butto`s murder.

The question is, why did Karachi have to face all these for about a week? Was any other city of the country especially of interior Sindh paralyzed for so many days like Karachi? Did the women of any other cities have to face the disgrace like those of the city of lights? It should be noticed that there were two politically sensitive cities which were feared to be disturbed the most by the imminent violence after the incident. The first city was Rawalpindi while the second one was Larkana. However, neither Pindi nor Larakana faced the type of massacre that Karachi did. The questions is why was this city disturbed the most on 27th of December 2007 when it was neither the “crime scene” of SMBB nor had it ever been political fort of PPP?

The people of Karachi became the victim of the carnage in the name of “re-action” of BB`s assassination that took place in the city which was hundreds of miles away from them. More importantly, the evil forces who had planned to kill Benazir Bhutto in any case, eventually murdered her in Rawapindi. But, if their plan had succeeded in the first attempt in Karachi, then??

 Recalling what happened in Karachi on 27^th December, it is not difficult to imagine what sort of destruction Karachi-ites would have had to come across in that case. It is also a part of the history that immediately after the attack on 18th of October in Karachi, the City District Government Karachi (headed by Mustafa Kamal) was charged of deliberating keeping the streetlights off near the Karsaz flyover as per the alleged plan of attack. In other words, the conspiracy theory had immediately been formulated to target MQM.

Therefore, while thanking God for saving Karachi-ites from a bigger massacre on 18 October, in 2007, we also pry to Him to save us once again in the same way on this 18 October too when Bilawal Bhutto would be addressing a public gathering in Karachi. He has threats from the same people once again who have already hit his mother in the past. Especially after BBZ`s anti-MQM remarks, the anti-MQM “forces” may hit MQM by planning to target BBZ in the same as they did on 18 Oct. in 2007. By doing so, they would be killing two birds with one stone.

Perhaps, by sensing the same, MQM has completely controlled its sentiments and the already announced protest after Eid over BBZ`s extremely provoking statement-cum-threats against Altaf Hussain. No doubt, it is the display of much wisdom and maturity from MQM leadership in such a complex situation. Let`s pray to God to save all from any mishap as neither people nor this country can afford any more tragedy damaging the unity..….Aameen