Karsaz Bombings – Twelve Years
Pakistan People's Party was made a target in 2007, where two bombs went off at Karsaz, where the rally was passing through that day. It was on 18th Oct that this happened.
12 years ago, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto arrived Pakistan. She was travelling from the airport to Quaid’s Tomb, in Karachi. Almost whole of Pakistan was looking forward to Shaheed’s arrival as she returned after eight years to Pakistan. Twin bombings occurred while Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, along with her caravan, were at Karsaz. Although the truck carrying Shaheed Benazir was surrounded by police vans, which bore the attack basically, the truck remained safe.
In the aftermath of the incident, around 200 people were killed and more than 500 people were injured, which included policemen providing the security. It is said, that the streetlights went off at Karsaz, when this happened. The attack was apparently planned by Qari Akhtar, who was a part of Al-Qaeda, but due to short of proofs, was bailed out. Benazir Bhutto mentioned him, in the book that she wrote.
Today marks 12 years to the incident. And the sad part is, that no one has been caught yet. During the time of investigation, PPP was in power, which could have done much, but all in vain. Two months later Benzair was martyred during a rally. In 2017, CM Murad Ali Shah started an investigation, though was brought to an halt later on.
Shaheed Mohtarma was an icon for all of the world. Reactions over the incident came from most of the countries, as well as from Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, who strongly condemned the terrorist attacks. He extended his condolence to the people who were injured and killed at Karsaz.
Today, on 18th October 2019, a ‘Jalsa’ is held at Mazar e Quaid, to remember what happened few years ago. Well, more than ‘Jalsa’, PPP needs to get back in action to catch the culprits involved in the heinous crime that resulted in loss of many lives.