Dhaka condemns assassination

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed has strongly condemned the assassination of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, calling it a cowardly and unpardonable crime.
The foreign ministry in a press release yesterday said the chief adviser condemned in the strongest term the cowardly attack that led to the death of the former prime minister of Pakistan.
"It is an unpardonable crime that has shocked the world. The government and the people of Bangladesh mourned this tragedy with their Pakistani brethren," Fakhruddin said.
He also prayed that "The souls of all those who got killed in the incident rest in eternal peace."
PARTIES CONDEMN
Major political parties have condemned the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and demanded exemplary punishment of the culprits responsible for this.
In separate statements last night, they expressed deep condolence and sympathy for the bereaved members of her family.
Awami League (AL) Acting President Zillur Rahman urged all pro-democratic and progressive forces to stand united against the heinous killings of secular democratic political leaders.
Acting Chairman of Jatiya Party (JP-Ershad) Anisul Islam Mahmud said this kind of killing is never acceptable in a democratic process. "We strongly condemn the killing and urge the authorities concerned to bring the culprits to book immediately for the sake of safety and security of the people of Pakistan," he told The Daily Star.
"We also pray for the people of Pakistan and for stability in the country," he said.
BNP Chairperson nominated Secretary General Khandkar Delwar Hossain has expressed deep shock at the assassination of Pakistan's opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and strongly condemned the incident in Rawalpindi.
In a statement, Delwar said the peace-loving people all over the world are saddened by the barbaric attack on political leadership and termed the attack an attempt to destroy democracy in Pakistan.
He said the assassination of Bhutto might complicate politics of Pakistan, and also leave an adverse impact on the democratic politics of the sub-continent, reports UNB.
In another statement, BNP Standing Committee nominated Secretary General Maj (rtd) Hafizuddin Ahmed said the assassination of Bhutto is painful. It is an attack on democracy and may leave an adverse impact on the ensuing democratic election in Pakistan.
Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon and General Secretary Bimal Biswas termed the killing of Benazir most unfortunate and an onslaught on pro-democracy people. The people of Bangladesh are with the people of Pakistan in their fight for democracy, they said in a statement.
Bikalpa Dhara President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal leader Khalequzzaman expressed deep shock at the killing of the former prime minister of Pakistan and condemned it.
Bangladesh Chhatra Moitree and Bangladesh Jubo Moitree also condemned the killing.