JD(U), AIMMM condemns Benazir's assassination

New Delhi, Dec 28 (UNI) Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav today condemned the brutal and tragic assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

''Ms Bhutto was a charismatic and outstanding leader and her contribution to the bi-lateral relations between India and Pakistan will be long remembered,'' Mr Yadav said in his condolence message here.

He expressed his heartfelt condolence to the members of the bereaved family.

President of All India Muslim Majlis-E-Mushawarat (AIMMM) Syed Shahabuddin also expressed his deep shock at the assassination of the former Pakistan Prime Minister and the leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

''It is a great tragedy for Pakistan and has horrified the common man all over the sub continent,'' Mr Shahabuddin said in his condolence message. He said the AIMMM condemned the killing which was ''politically motivated and well planned'' and offered its sincere condolences to the people of Pakistan and in particular to the leaders, members and supporters of the PPP.

''The assassination of Ms Bhutto at this juncture will not only destabilise Pakistan but put a question mark on its very survival as a functional state in the long term which demands delegitimising and controlling the cult of violence and terrorism,'' the AIMMM president said.

The immediate task of the people of Pakistan was to restore constitutional democracy in the country, he added.

UNI