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Published on October 20, 2007

The twin blasts that killed at least 136 people and injured hundreds of others in the huge crowds that turned out to greet former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto on her homecoming from exile had all the hallmarks of a suicide bombing. Although no group has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack, the Taleban militants who had issued death threats against Bhutto and her followers have become the prime suspects. Even more disturbing is the suspicion that Pakistan's intelligence agencies - over which embattled President Pervez Musharraf may or may not have full control - may be involved in the despicable act that caused great loss of lives. Jihadi elements are known to have recently infiltrated the rank and file of the intelligence services. The explosions have marred Bhutto's long-anticipated homecoming to lead her liberal Pakistan People's Party (PPP) into the general election for a new parliament in mid-January. Musharraf's failure to prevent such an attack despite the time and effort spent preparing security arrangements for Bhutto's return also casts the military ruler in a negative light. The slaughter of innocent people in order to make political statements, to strike fear and panic in the public, to intimidate or damage opponents or to undermine Pakistan's march toward the restoration of democracy and civilian rule must be unequivocally condemned by all sides.

In the days and weeks ahead, the Musharraf government must spare no effort to hunt down and bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous crime. In the meantime, Pakistani society must put up a united front in the campaign to eliminate the scourge of terrorism. Everything must be done to crack down on Taleban militants and their supporters in the country's tribal areas. The ongoing national reconciliation process brokered by the US, which has led to a welcome but tentative power-sharing deal between Musharraf and Bhutto, must proceed despite the violence. Hopes for a peaceful transition from military dictatorship to democracy under civilian rule must not be allowed to unravel by acts of terror.

No legitimate political actors in Pakistan should take advantage of the chaotic situation in the aftermath of the bombings for their own selfish gains. Those advocates of democracy in Pakistan who have sustained their peaceful protest against Musharraf must refrain from making wild speculation about who or which groups were behind the attacks. Musharraf himself should not even think of taking the opportunity to declare a state of emergency in an attempt to consolidate his power, which is being increasingly challenged by the pro-democracy movement. The military leader must realise that reverting to heavy-handed authoritarianism at this time would be nothing short of political suicide. Pakistani society as a whole must be united in its effort to restore democracy and to eradicate extremism.

The choice that the Pakistani people must now make is likely to be a compromise solution to find a path back to democracy in which Musharraf and Bhutto - both politicians with blemished track records - are the main players. Musharraf is a dictator trying to make a graceful exit, while Bhutto wants to stage a political comeback as a third-time prime minister. She also wants to avoid prosecution for corruption charges during her previous two terms in office.

The Pakistani electorate must make a pragmatic decision to perhaps overlook both Musharraf and Bhutto's past misdeeds. Instead, they may have to concentrate more on what the two politicians have to offer for the betterment of the country. For so long, it seems, Pakistan has been stuck in a vicious circle that has frustrated the democratic aspirations of its people.It should matter little that such back-room negotiations between Musharraf and Bhutto are sponsored by the US, which has a clear interest in propping up Musharraf despite the military strongman's chequered record as an ally in the fight against international terrorism.

The Pakistani public should concentrate more on the possible positive outcome from such power-sharing as a half-measure towards democracy - until such time that the nation finds and develops a political model that is conducive to the growth of democracy. The alternative to such a compromise solution is confrontational politics that could lead to more bloodshed, chaos, extremism and the real possibility of Pakistan being relegated to the status of a failed state.