[Dawn] Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani... Pakistain's erstwhile current prime minister, whose occasional feats of mental gymnastics can be awe-inspiring ...
while terming the Karsaz Tragedy a clash between the champions of progressive and democratic Pakistain and the forces of backwardness and bigotry, said on Tuesday the courageous people of Pakistain would not allow a handful of bigoted minority to impose its agenda on peaceful majority.
When did that change?
"The Karsaz tragedy marks a watershed in that it drew a clear line between moderate, pro-democracy, and peaceful political forces and turban, orc, and bigoted elements," Gilani said in his message on the 4th anniversary of Karsaz Tragedy on October 18.
"This clash between the champions of progressive and democratic Pakistain and the forces of backwardness and bigotry continues even today. It is battle between two kinds of ideas," he added.
The prime minister recalled that once Benazir Bhutto said, "an inferior idea can only be killed by a superior idea." The idea of a progressive and democratic Pakistain is potent enough to defeat the idea of militancy, terrorism and extremism, he added.
"The hundreds of sacrifices offered by the armed forces, personnel of security organizations and the people on the lam prove that the courageous people of Pakistain would not allow a handful of bigoted minority to impose their agenda on peaceful majority," Gilani maintained.
Paying rich tribute to the deaders of Karsaz tragedy, Mr Gilani expressed the government's resolve to further empower people, to strengthen institutions and to make the people of Pakistain the master of their destiny.
"The best way to pay tribute to Benazir Bhutto and hundreds of deaders is to fulfil her vision," he added.
The PM said, "the 18th of October reminds us of the brutal and cowardly attack on the 'Caravan for Democracy' led by Benazir Bhutto four years ago in 2007."
He said the return of Benazir Bhutto from exile on that fateful day promised a beginning of a new chapter in the history of Pakistain, adding, "Through her relentless struggle for the restoration of people's rights, she symbolized democracy, representative rule and empowerment of people."
"The millions of people who flocked to the streets of Bloody Karachi from across the country to greet their beloved leader looked up to her as a leader who represented socio-economic development for the underprivileged sections of society," he added.
The prime minister said that the perpetrators of doom and gloom were so upset with the dawn of a new era of change that they mounted deadly attacks at the life of Benazir Bhutto at the site of Karsaz.
"Around 200 workers of the Pakistain People's Party (PPP) had embraced martyrdom and hundreds of others were maimed in these attacks," he said and added those who undertook the attacks wanted to snatch from the people their hopes, their dreams of future and the right to elect their representatives.
"Little did they know that the democratic aspirations espoused by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
...9th PM of Pakistain from 1973 to 1977, and 4th President of Pakistain from 1971 to 1973. He was the founder of the Pakistain Peoples Party (PPP). His eldest daughter, Benazir Bhutto, would also serve as hereditary PM. In a coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq, Bhutto was removed from office and was executed in 1979 for authorizing the murder of a political opponent...
and Benazir Bhutto were etched deeply in people's psychology, minds and personalities," he added.
The prime minister said instead of scaring Benazir Bhutto into submission, these attacks on people's liberty and political rights further renewed her passion and strengthened her resolve to serve the masses.