I love the great democratic tradition of children being appointed into their deceased parents’ positions.
Or not-so deceased parents. 
poor kid. dang, he is gonna have a really tough road.
Bilawal’s (Benazir’s son) assimilation into the party just goes to show how Bhutto-dominated the PPP really is. His father announced on TV that Bilawal will now be called Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (rather than Bilawal Zardari), obviously a move to capitalize on the Bhutto name.
ShakWave, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your insight into this terrible situation.
Yes, thanks for your insight, ShakWave. I, too, am glad to know you are safe.
I just read this National Geographic Magazine article, and couldn’t help but come away with this dreadful feeling that the citizens of Pakistan are pretty fucked by the political situation, and that was before the assassination. I know it’s a pretty long article, but if you’re up to reading it, I’d love to know if you feel it’s an accurate portrayal of your country and the problems its facing.
According to this NY Times story, the government is claiming Bhutto died “by hitting her head on a lever of her car’s sunroof during the attack.” And the government, in the person of the local police chief, is refusing to allow an autopsy.
I can see how this will turn out well. :dubious:
Supposedly, there’s video of the event in which you can clearly tell she’s been shot, and everyone who was at the hospital with her has been saying that she was shot because they saw the bullet holes.
Obviously they were mistaken. They must have seen the sunroof lever holes.
Dawn News (the biggest English newspaper in Pakistan) has claimed to have pictures of both the assassin (in front with the sunglasses) and the suicide bomber (behind the assassin with a cloth covering most of his face).
http://epaper.dawn.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=30_12_2007_001_004
Thanks for all the information, ShakWave. I appreciate the opportunity to feel less ignorant about your part of the world. I"m on vacation and haven’t read this as closely yet as I’d like, but wanted to stop in and say thanks.
GT
Maybe it was a magic sunroof lever.
There might have been two sunroof levers, for driver and passenger. But there is absolutely NO evidence the levers were conspiring with each other. Perhaps one will turn out to be a pristine lever.
Thanks for the on-the-spot reporting, ShakWave. Please keep safe.
Shayna, the article is absolutely spot on. The country is currently at its most fragile state, divided between the radical Islamist bullies, and the moderate majority. The article has described accurately the events leading up to now, including the rot which started in the '80s by the US-backed General Zia-ul-Haq.
Cervaise, Gardentraveller, Rockingchair, Ivylass, Shayna, jjimm, your thanks are very welcome. I’m glad that I have an opportunity to express my point of view as an average Pakistani to people all over the world through the SDMB, and hope it goes towards fighting ignorance 
a bit . I’m also thinking of opening a Ask the Pakistani guy thread so Dopers can get to know more about Pakistan apart from what they hear on the news.
Oh, and Happy New Year. 
thank you very much for your man on the street reports, and help in explaining who is who. ask the pakistani guy thread would be awesome!
keep safe and have a happy and healthy new year.
Keep it up! And stay safe too (of course!)
I have a feeling that 2008 will be like 2001. Her death was sudden and tragic, but I knew it would happen. We’re beyond all that. Her son will rule: as he said, “democracy is the ultimate revenge”.
Anyone else freaked out that Tuckerfan registered seven years ago today?
Why should it be freaky?