A Finer Focus: The Assassination of Benazir Bhutto

Almost as quickly as she entered the world’s political arena, Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto is gone, assassinated.

In life, she was notable for a few different reasons. She became the first woman leader of an Islamic country after her election to prime minister in 1988, at the age of 35. She was also the brightest hope for the ascension of a south-central Asian leader, firmly dedicated to the principles of democratic government and posing a viable counterweight to extremism in Pakistan and throughout other sections of Asia.

In death, one must wonder what is to happen with the U.S.’s delicate relationship with current Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who just weeks ago, abdicated his side-post as leader of the country’s military. Although he’s publicly denounced the elements of Islamic extremism, and most fingers are pointing to Al Qaeda, Bhutto’s supporters are already looking to Musharraf as a factor in the killing. Should a connection be substantiated, what will America do, as it has relied on Pakistan for assistance in its fight against Al Qaeda? What's more, how will Bhutto's death impact upcoming Pakistani elections? Will there even be elections? Time will tell, but, in the meantime, it is remarkable that such a viable, intriguing, accomplished – and certainly brave – leader, is now gone.

For books on Benazir Bhutto, do a Subject search using the phrase, “Bhutto, Benazir.” For books on Pakistan, do the same, a Subject search using the phrase “Pakistan.” For items authored by Bhutto, do an Author search using the same phrase, “Bhutto, Benazir.” You may expand your search options by utilizing the LinkPlus option, your portal to borrowing books from libraries all throughout the state of Califoria. Books will arrive within 5 days, and you need only your library card number and Personal Identification Number (PIN). For instructions on obtaining a PIN, click here.

An electronic alternative for biographical information on Bhutto is our collection biographical indexes/databases: Biography Resource Center and Biograohy, Genealogy Master Index (not an 'end source,' by a reference to other sources that will contain biographical information), and others. Biographical resources are located in the lower, left-hand corner of the SPL Database page.

For further information on Pakistan - pre and post Bhutto assassination - check our periodical and newspaper databases. EBSCO offers timely access to popular and specialized journals and magazines like the Economist (1990-present) and Foreign Affairs (1922-present), while Newsbank provides access to award-winning newspapers like the San Jose Mercury News (1985-present), San Francisco Chronicle (1985-present), and Sacramento Bee (1984-present).

To use these databases (including biographical), you only need a library card number and a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Again, for instructions on obtaining a PIN, click here.