Benazir Bhutto was not just a courageous leader committed to democracy but she also had the extraordinary ability to mobilise public support for causes, something that is necessary for any country to pull itself out of crisis, a top US scholar and former State Department adviser says.
Dr Marvin Weinbaum, who closely follows South Asian affairs and met with the martyred Pakistani Prime Minister during her last visit to Washington in September 2007, described her tragic death as a massive loss for Pakistan. "The tragedy happened a year ago, and it continues today," he said in an interview on the occasion of her first death anniversary.
"Pakistan would have been in a better shape if she were there as she could rally public support more than anybody else," said Weinbaum, who is currently associated with The Middle East Institute. Dr Weinbaum counted some of the major challenges facing Pakistan - violent extremism along its Afghan border, economic recovery and relations with India - and said the current Pakistani leadership "must build on her legacy, especially her call for reconciliation."
He recalled Benazir Bhutto's visit to the Middle East Institute September last year and paid tribute to her for the brave and determined decision to return to the country in the face of heavy odds.
"She was anxious to return, it was her destiny to return and she was confident of her ability to work with all stakeholders, she was courageous, she recognised and accepted the challenges and she knew that she had to appeal to the people of Pakistan to drive the country out of troubles," he said, citing conversation with the Pakistani leader, who championed the cause of democracy for over three decades. While the challenges facing the country are enormous, the Pakistani government should carry on her legacy, he added, praising the Benazir Bhutto's quality to garner mass support on issues.