The Pakistan-born Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, has called the assassination of Benazir Bhutto a “body blow for freedom and democracy in Pakistan”.
Bhutto, the former prime minister of Pakistan and leader of the opposition, was killed in a gun and suicide bomb attack on Thursday as she was leaving a political rally at Rawalpindi. Sixteen people were killed in the attack.
Bishop Nazir-Ali, who is the former Bishop of Raiwind Lahore and who was forced to flee Pakistan as a result of persecution, said Bhutto had been a “friend for many years”.
"Her murder by extremists is a body blow for freedom and democracy in Pakistan," he was quoted by Times Online as saying.
"It raises serious questions about the government’s ability to provide security for its citizens when even one as eminent as she can be killed in this way."
Pakistani officials have assured that the general elections on January 8 will go ahead as scheduled.
Bishop Nazir-Ali continued, "I do hope the general elections can still be held and that the cause of democracy can survive this catastrophe.
"My prayers are for her husband, children and family that they will be comforted at this time of grief. She will always be remembered for her commitment to Pakistan and her courage in public life.”
Other Christians have also paid tribute to Bhutto for her lifelong commitment to building a democratic Pakistan.
Christine Elliot, the Methodist Church's World Church Secretary for Asia and the Pacific, said that it was a “very sad day… for the people of Pakistan”, adding that the assassination of Bhutto was a “desperate blow” for the hope of a new democratic government in Pakistan.
She went on to express concern that the assassination could seriously the longshake stability in Pakistan in the long term.
