Bhutto Killing: End to Volatile, Risky Career

Heir to political dynasty, PM embodied both hope and corruption
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 27, 2007 10:14 AM CST
Bhutto Killing: End to Volatile, Risky Career
Supporters of former premier Benazir Bhutto mourn amongst the carnage after a suicide attack following an election campaign rally in Rawalpindi, 27 December 2007. Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a suicide attack, just two months after the former premier returned from exile...   (AFP)

Benazir Bhutto's assassination today ended a volatile political career that saw her transformed from one of the world's most powerful women to persona non grata and back again. Obituaries detail her reluctant entry into politics after the execution of her father, PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The 54-year-old joined him and her two brothers as victims of political violence.

In two terms as Pakistan's PM, the Muslim world's first woman leader advocated human rights and moderate Islam, and faced serious corruption charges that led to her exile. Bhutto steadfastly denied all corruption charges, but only after her deal with Pervez Musharraf could she return to Pakistan. Her safety was never guaranteed: Upon her October arrival in Karachi, she survived a huge blast that killed 136 onlookers. (More Benazir Bhutto stories.)

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