The assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto sent shock waves across the Valley with common people strongly condemning the killing. However, most of them maintained that Bhutto's killing would affect restoration of democracy in Pakistan but not the resolution of Kashmir issue.
Sheikh Shoukat Hussain, an intellectual while expressing shock over killing of Benazir said it won't have any impact on Kashmir issue.
"Probably her too much identity with America has led to her assassination. Her killing won't have any repercussions on the Kashmir issue. Though her father Zulfikar Bhutto was a staunch supporter of independence of Kashmir, Benazir helped India in containing militancy in Punjab. Taking this into consideration, her stand towards resolution of Kashmir can't be judged," Greater Kashmir quoted him as saying.
President of High Court Bar Association Nazir Ahmad Ronga described Benazir's killing as a political catastrophe. "It is a barbaric act aimed at hindering the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. People of Pakistan should exercise restraint and fearlessly participate in upcoming elections for restoration of democracy. This will be a great tribute to Benazir," Ronga said.
Ghulam Ahmad, a shopkeeper said this tragic incident vindicates the stand of those who are fighting for independent Kashmir. "The people of Pakistan should come out with firm resolve to promote democratic values in the country," he said.
Chairman of Houseboat Owners Association Muhammad Azim Tuman said with the killing of Benazir all the hopes of restoration of democracy in Pakistan have been shattered.
"If democracy was restored in Pakistan, there were chances that Kashmir issue would have been resolved and subsequently the cross border trade and tourism would have also been restored strengthening the economy of Kashmir," Tuman said.
Regretting the killing of Benazir, Ghulam Nabi, a mechanic describing her as a veteran leader. "Pakistan government and its people should do everything possible to purge the country of all illegal weapons and ammunitions to let the common man live without any sense of insecurity," he said.
"The assassination of Bhutto has raised the question on the security scenario in Pakistan besides it has further deepened the political crisis in the country," said Mudasir Ahmad, a student of Kashmir University.
"It came like a great shock that Benazir Bhutto had such a tragic end. She had tried to make Pakistan a democratic state when she was in power. As far as Kashmir issue is concerned she has been instrumental in ending the armed struggle in Kashmir. Her death will not have any impact on the Kashmir issue because she was not a part of the process any more as she was not in power in Pakistan," said Zahoor Ahmad of Bohri Kadal in Shehr-e-Khas.
"Whosoever has done it shows cowardice on their part. Prevailing economic scenario of Pakistan is already under distress and with the assassination of Bhutto this would further weaken its economic position.
The Foreign Institutional Investors flow to Pakistan is going to get badly affected by the move," said a management professional Khurshid Ahmad Pandow.