Panaji, Dec 28: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
today said the assassination of Pakistani leader Benazir
Bhutto was a reminder of what terrorism can do and underlined
the need for a joint fight against the menace.
"The grievous blow is the demise of Bhutto, this great tragedy once again is a reminder to all of us of the great harm that terrorism can do to the peace, prosperity and well being of the region," Singh said here.
"We all have obligations to work together to deal with this menace which threatens the ways of civilised people living all over the world," he added.
Paying tributes to Bhutto, the Prime Minister said she was an "outstanding champion of reconciliation" between India and Pakistan.
"She, on more than one occasion expressed her feelings that relations between our nations should be normalised and that we should work together to make South Asia a prosperous region of the world," Singh said.
He further stated that Bhutto was "no ordinary political leader, but one who left a deep imprint on her time and age."
Bhutto killing: India reacts with shock
President Pratibha Patil expressed deep grief and said the assassination was "a tragedy not just for Pakistan but the entire region" and people of India stood with the people of the neighbouring country in the hour of grief.
She said the incident "underscores the menace that terrorism poses to us and to the stability of our society."
Describing Bhutto as a "brave and outstanding woman leader of the sub-continent", External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said it was "tragic" that she should "fall to a barbarous terrorist attack."
It should "strengthen our resolve to fight this scourge of terrorism", said Mukherjee in a statement from Kolkata before cutting short his visit to return to Delhi in the wake of the development.
"Bhutto's contributions to democracy, to the improvement of India-Pakistan relations and to restoration of normalcy within Pakistan will be an inspiration," the External Affairs Minister said.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee termed the assassination as a "big jolt" to the democracy and civilised society.
"It has become a big challenge for democracy and peace-loving society and we have to fight it out together," he said.
Political parties also joined the government in condemning Bhutto's assassination, saying the incident highlighted that anti-democracy forces were out to destabilise the country.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi described Bhutto's assassination as an "unrealised potential" brutally cut short.
"Her assassination is a painful reminder of the grave threat posed by the forces of violence and terror to the civilised world," she said.
The Congress Working Group (CWC) will meet tomorrow to discuss the situation.
BJP leader L K Advani said the "Talibanistion" of Pakistan is a threat to india and he sought an early meeting with the Prime Minister to deliberate on the "deeply worrisome" developments in Pakistan.
CPI(M) Sitaram Yechury said it was an act obviously by the forces which do not want democracy in Pakistan.
CPI leader D Raja said the incident has created a "very murky situation" in Pakistan which is already passing through a "political turmoil".
Indo-Pak forum of parliamentarians expressed deep shock at the killing and emphasised that the need of the hour was "peace and understanding".
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, December 28, 2007, 00:00