YLDA Leadership Condemns Terror Attack in Pakistan
2007-12-28

Former Prime Minister Bhutto in one of her campaign sorties in Pakistan. Photo courtesy of AFP, through BBC.

The Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia (YLDA) has expressed condemnation to the latest terror attack yesterday (December 27, 2007) in Pakistan that has claimed the lives of at least twenty persons, including that of two-time Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

In a message sent to the YLDA Secretariat in Manila, YLDA President Rajendra Mulmi said he is "appalled by the attack on former Prime Minister Bhutto and her party", adding: "This is a frontal assault to democracy and political freedom. "

Prime Minister Bhutto was killed when a lone gunman shot her twice in the neck and chest after she has spoken before thousands of her supporters in the city of Rapawaldi in Northern Pakistan. The gunman then blew himself up by detonating a bomb, claiming another sixteen lives and injuring scores of Bhutto's supporters.

In a separate communication, YLDA Secretary General and new International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) Vice President Jan Argy Tolentino has appealed for calmness and sobriety as he expressed concern over the future of democratic politics in the country. He also instructed YLDA Program Officer and Secretariat Head, Pey Canlas to coordinate closely with YLDA-member organization Future Youth Group - Pakistan to monitor the situation in the country.

One of the last pictures of former Pakistan Prime Minister Bhutto before her assassination. Photo courtesy of AFP through BBC.

"Through our humble efforts of bringing together youths espousing liberalism and democracy, YLDA has contributed in the molding of a new democratic framework in Pakistan. We are not discouraged by this latest incident. We remain committed to helping our youth partners in Pakistan bring forth political changes in the country through democratic means," adds Mr. Tolentino.

Other members of the YLDA Executive Committee, Camelia Puji Astuti of Garda Bangsa Indonesia, Chee Wey Hng of Parti Gerakan - Youth Malaysia, and Buddhika Pathirana of IDL-LYG Sri Lanka all expressed support and solidarity with the Pakistani people, especially the members of Future Youth Group Pakistan, who are all working towards a more democratic Pakistan.

The three collectively called Bhutto's assassination as an "affront to democracy and an insult to tremendous sacrifices done by the Pakistani people in the name of democracy." Being a Muslim herself, Miss Astuti appealed for restraint in the wake of riots that have gripped some major cities in the country.

"Unity and communal reflection instead of violence should define Miss Bhutto's martyrdom for freedom and democracy," she adds.

The YLDA Executive Committee also calls for all parties in Pakistan, from the government to political parties to religious groups, to cooperate for the immediate arrest of the perpetrators. As an organization pushing for liberalism and democracy, YLDA sees no place for atrocities and terrorism. Not in Pakistan, not in Asia, not in any place in the world.

Garda Bangsa Garda Bangsa was formed in 1998 following the successful political reform spearheaded by students and other campus activists to depose the tyrannical regime of President Suharto. The organization was founded by Abdurram Wahid, a former adviser of President Suharto who resigned following an escalation in government corruption and political management by the administration. He championed "Responsible Openness" within the government system and proposed the establishment of a Reform Committee in order to mitigate poor governance within the administration. His calls were left unheeded and so he eventually withdrew support for the government and joined the efforts advocating for reform in the government. Read more...