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The Lever Of Her Sunroof Did It

by HijabMan :: posted 30 December 07

The following is a guest post from my brother-in-law, Angrez, reporting from Karachi…,

Hmmm. So according to the Pakistani government, none of the bullets that were fired by the gunman hit Benazir Bhutto. It was the shockwave from the suicide bomb explosion, we are told, that caused her to hit her head against the lever of the sunroof, resulting in a fatal fracture to her head. Sherry Rehman, who was sitting next to Bhutto at the time, has stated clearly on television that she saw the bullet wounds and an immense amount of blood, so much so that they had to change the car that Ms. Bhutto was in. She went on to say that the authorities had forced the hospital to which Ms. Bhutto was transported, to change the account of how she died. Dawn News has also broadcast footage suggesting that Ms. Bhutto reeled back in the car before the blast took place, implying that a gunshot had caused her death and not the lever of the sunroof. Who is telling the truth?

This is not a new occurrence in Pakistan. We do not even know who was behind the assassination of the first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan. The explosion that killed Zia Ul Haq is also a mystery. And now this. I do not know what actually happened, but I do feel the government’s explanation is a little odd. If they are lying, just what are they hoping to achieve? Hasan, a cousin, believes they might be trying to avoid condemnation for not providing enough security. However, this explanation only seems to be increasing people’s mistrust where the government is concerned. I think Hilary Clinton had the right idea: there should be a Rafik Hariri-style UN-led investigation into the matter.

We have been fortunate not to have been affected by any of the violence. In some ways it seems the country they are talking about on television is a different one. The only thing we have witnessed is that the shops are closed. I am appalled at the wanton destruction that is being reported though. Some of the vandals did not even seem angry to me – they almost looked bored and some of them were giggling. Ambulances have not had enough petrol because thugs have been setting petrol stations alight. Hundreds of shops, cars and factories have been destroyed. Auntie was telling me that criminals use such situations to carry out their own agendas. Meanwhile, the ordinary man on the street suffers, as does the economy. Hasan was also telling me that people are so frustrated with the difficulties in their lives that they use such opportunities to vent.

On this third day of national mourning, we enjoyed the short ride to this internet cafe as we are growing tired of sitting in the house. Fortunately though, we have wonderful company as well as great Sindhi food. I don’t think I have ever eaten so many maanis! Tomorrow we’ll go shopping if the atmosphere is conducive and on Tuesday, we’ll try and make it to Hyderabad. I know it is selfish to want to experience more of the country. It is not that the plight of the people here does not concern me. It’s just that I want to interact with more of them.

Meanwhile, please avoid the levers on your sunroofs.

love,
Angrez

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