Returning to Pakistan,
Bhutto calls for democracy
By: Hilary Craig
After eight years of self-imposed exile, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was welcomed home Thursday by thousands of supporters.
Her arrival came amid death threats, and two explosions went off Thursday night during Bhutto's procession. Pakistani officials said the death toll was at least 120. Bhutto was not injured.
Immediately after arriving in her home country, Bhutto told the throng of supporters that Pakistan needs to return to a democracy so the country is no longer seen as a refuge for terrorists.
The crowd of supporters was so massive that even hours after Bhutto arrived the caravan had not cleared Karachi International Airport.
Bhutto, 54, has twice been elected prime minister. The first time was in 1988, making her the first woman ever to lead an Islamic nation. She fled Pakistan in 1999 because of corruption charges against her.
It would take a constitutional amendment for her to become prime minister again. Pakistani law bars prime ministers from seeking a third term.
U.S.-backed military leader General Pervez Musharraf agreed to drop the corruption charges against Bhutto and other politicians earlier this month.
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Brian Richardson
Reporting supervisors:
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd