Spiral of Vilolence

In the aftermath of the killing of Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan is facing difficult times. Far from being an exceptional case, this assassination is the result of the political violence which has been escalating over the last few months. Even if it is too early to talk about a civil war, this much is known: The military-dominated government has failed because it can no longer ensure public safety.

One can only speculate who the backers of this attack were. On the one hand, Bhutto has received threats from Islamic militants for taking what many view as "pro-American" stances against the Taliban and al Qaeda.

On the other hand, after the deadly suicide bombing that killed over a hundred people upon her return from exile, Bhutto herself accused persons with connections to the powerful military establishment and the party of President Pervez Musharraf of being behind the attack. In either case, it is alarming that Bhutto's assassination occurred in the city which is home to headquarters of Pakistan's military. The incident begs the question: Is there a place in which Pakistanis can feel truly safe?

It is hard to imagine that the election will now take place as planned on Jan. 8. The security situation in the country remains precarious. Also on Thursday, just before the assassination of Bhutto, four people were shot dead at a political rally for another former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Over the past decades, Pakistani society has been marked by militarism and violence, a development that has largely spilled over from neighboring Afghanistan. The western-supported war against the Soviet Union has strengthened not only Pakistan's military and secret services but also the country's Islamic militants. Weapons and the propensity for violence continue to spread. Militancy as an ingredient of political disputes is unfortunately still a reality of everyday life in Pakistan, whether between religious, ethnic or political factions.

The way out of this spiral of violence will by no means be easy. But it should build on the developments over the past few months in which civil society became strong in Pakistan and in which lawyers and journalists established themselves as political forces amidst the growth of resentment against the military rule. Pakistan needs trustworthy civil institutions. State of emergency, martial law and expanding the powers of the security forces would not stop the spiral of violence. The international community, too, should insist on Pakistan becoming a true democracy.