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Bhutto's Will Disappoints Democratic Hopes
Saira Yamin, ICAR Ph.D. Student
Posted:02/11/08

[Published, Christian Science Monitor, February 11, 2008] The Feb. 6 article, "Bhutto's party releases her will to bolster PPP support" brings into sharp focus Benazir Bhutto's legacy as an icon of democracy.

Bhutto's handwritten will bears testimony that her commitment to dynastic politics was paramount in her desire to rule. That she had declared herself life chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party often led Pakistanis to wonder if others in the party would ever have the opportunity to come to the forefront in her lifetime, especially while she was in self-imposed exile.

It is disappointing, nay, depressing, that in her death she closed the doors for other key leaders to come to power by naming her husband, Asif Zardari, and 19-year-old son, Bilawal, as most capable of taking the party forward.

The will, which is being touted by the PPP as validating Zardari's right to become Pakistan's next prime minister, reduces the party's stature to that of a family enterprise, belying its oft-stated commitment to democracy.

Saira Yamin
Arlington, Va.

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ICAR News Network Bhutto's Will Disappoints Democratic Hopes Saira Yamin, ICAR Ph.D. Student Posted:02/11/08 [Published, Christian Science Monitor, February 11, 2008] The Feb. 6 article, "Bhutto's party releases her will to bolster PPP support" brings into sharp focus Benazir Bhutto's legacy as an icon of democracy. Bhutto's handwritten will bears testimony that her commitment to dynastic politics was paramount in her desire to rule. That she had declared herself life chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party often led Pakistanis to wonder if others in the party would ever have the opportunity to come to the forefront in her lifetime, especially while she was in self-imposed exile. It is disappointing, nay, depressing, that in her death she closed the doors for other key leaders to come to power by naming her husband, Asif Zardari, and 19-year-old son, Bilawal, as most capable of taking the party forward. The will, which is being touted by the PPP as validating Zardari's right to become Pakistan's next prime minister, reduces the party's stature to that of a family enterprise, belying its oft-stated commitment to democracy. Saira Yamin Arlington, Va. News Network Homepage / Armenia / 2008 Elections / Afghanistan / Diplomacy/ Egypt / Environment / Global Peace Index / Health / Immigration / Iraq / Iran / Islam / Kosovo / Nuclear Proliferation / Pakistan / Palestine-Israel / Russia / Somalia / South America / Turkey /		About ICAR Student Information Prospective Students Faculty and Staff Alumni Career Services Academic Programs Library ICAR In The News Events Technology Resources ICAR Publications Point Of View Center Center for World Religions, Diplomacy & Conflict Resolution