Benazir’s assassination: unresolved grief, unanswered questions

ISLAMABAD: The question “who assassinated Benazir Bhutto?” remains for the last 17 years. After the tragic elimination of Benazir Bhutto, the search for justice remains elusive as the court has acquitted five individuals previously accused of involvement in the case. The men — Eitzaz Shah, Sher Zaman, Abdul Rasheed, Rafaqat and Hasnain — were linked to the assassination as alleged members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), formed under Baitullah Mehsud’s command just 12 days before Bhutto’s killing on December 27, 2007.

The law-enforcement agencies had arrested five suspects, claiming to have “concrete evidence” of their involvement in the high-profile assassination. However, on December 15, a court exonerated them, citing insufficient evidence and raising further questions about the investigation’s integrity and the judicial process surrounding the case.

Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan’s first female prime minister and an iconic political figure, was assassinated in a gun-and-suicide bomb attack at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, shortly after addressing a large election rally. Her death shocked the nation and the world, sparking widespread grief and demands for accountability.

The failure to identify and prosecute the real perpetrators, conspirators and planners behind Bhutto’s assassination has fueled ongoing criticism of Pakistan’s intelligence and investigative agencies. Despite early accusations linking the TTP to the attack and subsequent investigations, no definitive conclusion has been reached.

The acquittal of these five individuals highlights lingering gaps in the case and underscores the challenges of bringing those responsible to justice. For many, it is a painful reminder of the unanswered questions surrounding Benazir Bhutto’s assassination and the justice that remains unserved.

In all, 17 years have passed since Pakistan’s prime political leader and two-time Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a tragic suicide gun-and-suicide bomb attack outside Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, on December 27, 2007.

The incident, which unfolded shortly after she addressed an election rally, plunged the nation into despair and sparked widespread outrage.

The aftermath of Benazir’s assassination was marked by controversy with critical evidence reportedly destroyed, raising questions about the investigation’s integrity. The crime scene was hastily washed, wiping away crucial forensic evidence, while a significant shake-up in local bureaucracy fueled public suspicions.

A press conference by the officials of ministry of interior at the time labelled the incident a terrorist attack, presenting intercepted calls and sketches of alleged perpetrators linked to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). However, these claims failed to convince many, including Benazir’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which demanded a transparent and independent probe.

The PPP, under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, rejected an investigation by Scotland Yard initiated by then military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf, accusing him of complicity in the assassination. Repeated calls for an independent United Nations’ inquiry led to a UN Fact-Finding Mission in 2009, which conducted extensive interviews and investigations. Yet, its report was criticised for being vague and inconclusive, further fueling suspicions.

Adding to the intrigue, Gen Musharraf later admitted intelligence agencies had credible threats against Benazir’s life. He revealed then ISI Chief Gen Nadeem Taj had met Benazir on December 26, 2007, warning her against addressing the Liaquat Bagh rally due to imminent threats. Despite the warnings, Benazir proceeded with her plans, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to public service — a decision that ultimately cost her life.

Over the years, numerous conspiracy theories came to surface, implicating various actors, but no definitive evidence has come out to pinpoint the culprits. The PPP, which held power from 2008 to 2013, struggled to make substantial progress in uncovering the truth.

As Pakistan marks the 17th anniversary of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, her death remains an enduring mystery. Despite her party’s demands for justice and the public’s outcry for answers, the circumstances surrounding her violent demise continue to haunt the nation, leaving behind a legacy of unresolved grief and unanswered questions.