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Bhutto Killing: End to Volatile, Risky Career

Heir to political dynasty, PM embodied both hope and corruption

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 27, 2007 10:14 AM CST
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(Newser) – Benazir Bhutto's assassination today ended a volatile political career that saw her transformed from one of the world's most powerful women to persona non grata and back again. Obituaries detail her reluctant entry into politics after the execution of her father, PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The 54-year-old joined him and her two brothers as victims of political violence.

In two terms as Pakistan's PM, the Muslim world's first woman leader advocated human rights and moderate Islam, and faced serious corruption charges that led to her exile. Bhutto steadfastly denied all corruption charges, but only after her deal with Pervez Musharraf could she return to Pakistan. Her safety was never guaranteed: Upon her October arrival in Karachi, she survived a huge blast that killed 136 onlookers.

Supporters of former premier Benazir Bhutto mourn amongst the carnage after a suicide attack following an election campaign rally in Rawalpindi, 27 December 2007. Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a suicide attack, just two months after the former premier returned from exile for a political comeback.
Supporters of former premier Benazir Bhutto mourn amongst the carnage after a suicide attack following an election campaign rally in Rawalpindi, 27 December 2007. Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto...   (AFP)
Survivors flee a bomb blast attack on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto December 27, 2007 following a campaign rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The opposition leader has died from a bullet wound to the neck after speaking at a rally in the northern city where an estimated 15 people were left...
Survivors flee a bomb blast attack on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto December 27, 2007 following a campaign rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The opposition leader has died from a bullet wound to the...   (AFP)
Pakistani rescue workers and supporters of former premier Benazir Bhutto carry an injured man after a suicide attack following an election campaign rally in Rawalpindi, 27 December 2007. Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a suicide attack, just two months after the former premier returned from exile for...
Pakistani rescue workers and supporters of former premier Benazir Bhutto carry an injured man after a suicide attack following an election campaign rally in Rawalpindi, 27 December 2007. Pakistan opposition...   (AFP)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto wears a shawl presented by her supporters, a gesture of respect, during her visit, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, Peshawar, Pakistan, for the election campaign. Bhutto and other leaders are campaigning for Pakistan's upcoming general elections in January 2008. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zubair)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto wears a shawl presented by her supporters, a gesture of respect, during her visit, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, Peshawar, Pakistan, for the election campaign....   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto delivers a speech during an election campaign rally in Nawazshsh, Pakistan on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Pervez Masih)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto delivers a speech during an election campaign rally in Nawazshsh, Pakistan on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Pervez Masih)   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, left, shares a point with her colleague Babar Awan during an election campaign rally in Mirpurkhas, Pakistan on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007. Bhutto sharply criticized the rule of Musharraf, who gave up his dual role as army chief last month, as a dark era...
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, left, shares a point with her colleague Babar Awan during an election campaign rally in Mirpurkhas, Pakistan on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007. Bhutto sharply...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto arrives at Karachi airport on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007. Both Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif have hit the campaign trail this week after abandoning threats to boycott the Jan. 8 elections. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto arrives at Karachi airport on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007. Both Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif have hit the campaign trail this week after abandoning threats to boycott...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto addresses her supporters during an election campaign in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan on Monday, Dec. 24, 2007. Bhutto said her agenda was to empower the people, to educate the people, to provide employment opportunity the people, to end the energy shortage that we have...
Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto addresses her supporters during an election campaign in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan on Monday, Dec. 24, 2007. Bhutto said her agenda was "to empower the people,...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto at Islamabad airport in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007.
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto at Islamabad airport in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007.   (Associated Press)
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Ongoing coverage of Bhutto's assassination
CNN

Timeline of Bhutto's final months in Pakistan
Times (UK)

1994 profile of Bhutto during her second term
New York Times

 
Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Benazir Bhutto • Nawaz Sharif • Zulfikar Ali Bhutto • Asif Ali Zardari

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