A week after the death of Mir Murtaza Bhutto in a police encounter, the event continues to be wrapped in mystery. There are any number of versions of what happened. Even basic questions such as what led to the encounter, what was the sequence of events, whether the intention was to go to the extent of killing Murtaza or merely to restrain him remain unanswered. It is clear, however, that his family believes that the killing was motivated and was part of some sort of a plot aimed at eliminating the Bhuttos. It is commonly said that Bhuttos as public figures inspire blind adulation or intense animosity. Murtaza’s death could well have been the outcome of the latter.
Murtaza’s death has undoubtedly been a traumatic experience for Benazir, whose government is even otherwise besieged by much anxiety on account of the severe economic and political problems facing Pakistan. In a series of statements in the midst of her mourning, she has spoken of plots and conspiracies to eliminate her. She seems convinced that her brother was targeted and shot and...
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