President George W Bush:
"The United States strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous
extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy. Those who
committed this crime must be brought to justice. Mrs Bhutto served her
nation twice as Prime Minister and she knew that her return to Pakistan
earlier this year put her life at risk. Yet she refused to allow assassins
to dictate the course of her country.
"We stand with the people of Pakistan in their struggle against the
forces of terror and extremism. We urge them to honour Benazir Bhutto's
memory by continuing with the democratic process for which she so bravely
gave her life"
Gordon Brown, British Prime Minister:
“This is a sad day for democracy; it’s a tragic hour for Pakistan. My
condolences go to the whole of the Bhutto family, including her children,
and to all who have lost their lives today.
“Benazir Bhutto was a woman of immense personal courage and bravery. Knowing
as she did the threats to her life, and the previous attempt at
assassination, she risked everything in her attempt to win democracy in
Pakistan.
“And she has been assassinated by cowards afraid of democracy. Benazir Bhutto
may have been killed by terrorists but the terrorists must not be allowed to
kill democracy in Pakistan and this atrocity strengthens our resolve that
terrorists will not win there, here or anywhere in the world and we will
work with all in the Pakistani community in Britain and elsewhere in the
world so that we can have a peaceful and safe and democratic Pakistan”
President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan:
“This cruelty is the work of those terrorists with whom we are fighting. The
biggest threat to Pakistan and this nation is from these terrorists. I seek
unity and support from the nation ... we will not sit and rest until we get
rid of these terrorists, root them out"
Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League:
“If the government is adamant about holding elections on January 8, it is
going on a self-destructive path which will not only destroy the government
itself but will also destroy the country. They are not going to be credible.
“We believe that Musharraf has no intention of holding free and fair elections
and yesterday was proof of that. Mr Musharraf has to step down. This is the
number-one demand of the nation today. And I can see that people want this
to happen as quickly as possible without any delay"
Pope Benedict XVI :
“Following the brutal terrorist attack in which Ms Benazir Bhutto, former
prime minister and leader of the Pakistan People’s Party, was fatally
wounded, the Holy Father expresses sentiments of deep sympathy and spiritual
closeness to the members of her family and to the entire Pakistani nation.
“He prays that further violence will be avoided and that every effort will be
made to build a climate of respect and trust, which are so necessary if good
order is to be maintained in society and if the country’s political
institutions are to operate effectively"
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the moderate wing of the Hurriyat
Conference separatist alliance, Kashmir:
“Her killing will take its toll on the ongoing dialogue process between India
and Pakistan. We need a strong and stable Pakistan to get the Kashmir issue
resolved. Elements trying to destabilise Pakistan should not be allowed to
succeed"
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India:
“I was deeply shocked and horrified to hear of the heinous assassination. The
sub-continent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and
reconciliation in her country. The manner of her going is a reminder of the
common dangers that our region faces from cowardly acts of terrorism and of
the need to eradicate this dangerous threat...
“Mrs Bhutto was no ordinary political leader but one who left a deep imprint
on her time and age”
Hamid Karzai, Afghan President:
“I found in her this [Thursday] morning a lot of love and desire for peace in
Afghanistan, for prosperity in Afghanistan and for an Afghanistan and
Pakistan that would be happy, prosperous and of good relations with each
other.
“We in Afghanistan condemn this act of cowardice and immense brutality in the
strongest possible terms.
"She sacrificed her life, for the sake of Pakistan and for the sake of
this region. I am deeply sorry, deeply pained at this brave sister of ours,
brave daughter of the Muslim world who is no longer with us"
Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General:
"I am shocked and outraged by the assassination of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto,
the leader of the Pakistan People's Party and former Prime Minister. This
represents an assault on stability in Pakistan and its democratic processes.
I strongly condemn this heinous crime and call for the perpetrators to be
brought to justice as soon as possible. I convey my heartfelt condolences to
Mrs. Bhutto's family, her colleagues and to the people of Pakistan. While
strongly urging for calm and restraint to be maintained at this difficult
time, I call on all Pakistanis to work together for peace and national unity"
President Nicolas Sarkozy of France:
"Terrorism and violence have no place in the democratic debate . . .
France, like the European Union, is particularly attached to stability and
democracy in Pakistan.
“It is more indispensable than ever that the January 8 legislative elections
are prepared and take place under conditions of pluralism, transparency and
security which will permit the Pakistani people to express themselves and
freely choose their elected officials"
President Vladimir Putin of Russia:
"I hope the organisers of the crime will be found and that they get the
punishment they deserve. It is a challenge launched by the forces of
terrorism against Pakistan, but also against the international community"
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference:
"This blatant crime ... is an attack at the stability and peace in
Pakistan and an open provocation aimed at derailing the efforts of unity,
reconciliation and democratic process.
“Those who are behind this heinous crime are not only enemies of Pakistan but
also of the peaceful and tolerant religion of Islam and should be promptly
identified and brought to justice"
Mohammad Ali Hosseini, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman:
“It is a criminal act and is strongly condemned. What Pakistan strongly needs
now is calmness and the return of stability...
“The Pakistan government should use all efforts to identify the terrorist
group which caused this incident and punish them to prevent terrorist groups
from finding opportunities to undertake such actions again"
President Shimon Peres of Israel:
"Benazir Bhutto was a courageous woman who did not hide her ideas, did
not know fear and served her country with courage. I had the opportunity to
meet her on several occasions and she expressed great interest in what was
happening in Israel during those encounters and said she hoped to visit once
she returned to power.
“Benazir Bhutto was a charismatic leader and a determined combatant for peace
in her country and in the world”
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan, Foreign Minister, United Arab
Emirates:
“The UAE has been tormented by this huge loss, which did not hit Pakistan
only, but also affected the UAE. Words fail to express our condemnation of
this criminal act and our pain for the loss of Benazir Bhutto”
Mohammed Asghar, Welsh Assembly member and recent guest of Ms Bhutto:
"There is a serious conspiracy somewhere along the line because you can’t
take the life of a person like this just like that... I told her security
advisers that Pakistan was not ready for democracy in my book and that she
should be protected properly. She needed to be protected better and that was
my attitude from day one.
“This is one of the saddest days of my life. She was a beacon for democracy
and the Pakistani political system. Pakistan is one of the most unfortunate
countries in the world - they have taken the life of a person who was taking
them to the light and out of the dark ages.
“It is just unbelievable. I have shed my tears and I’m just sitting quiet. I
feel like I have lost a sister”
Bishop Michael Nazir Ali, Bishop of Rochester, and former Bishop of
Raiwind, Lahore:
“Benazir Bhutto has been a personal friend for many years. Her murder by
extremists is a body blow for freedom and democracy in Pakistan. It raises
serious questions about the government’s ability to provide security for its
citizens when even one as eminent as she can be killed in this way.
"I do hope the general elections can still be held and that the cause of
democracy can survive this catastrophe.
"My prayers are for her husband, children and family that they will be
comforted at this time of grief. She will always be remembered for her
commitment to Pakistan and her courage in public life”
