The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), an advocacy and political group representing Christians and other minorities, said its worker Elias Masih, also known as Ilysa Masih, was buried in the city of Sargodha 150 kilometers (90 miles) south of Islamabad, after authorities handed over his human remains to family members.
APMA leaders and some 500 people attended the emotionally charged funeral ceremony. Masih, 26, was buried at the cemetery of Eidgah Christian Colony in Sargodha, as his crying fiancée looked on. They were soon to get married.
Masih and fellow APMA worker Ashraf Raza were killed "on the spot" when two bombs exploded only 120 feet (40 meters) apart from their truck during the home coming procession for former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Karachi, APMA’s Regional Director Khalid Gill told BosNewsLife earlier. APMA Chief Shahbaz Bhatti, who accompanied Bhutto on her flight from Dubai to the port city, "sustained minor injuries to his right hand," Gill added.
He suggested the death toll could rise as "these explosions left many APMA workers severely injured and many are still missing." APMA announced three days of mourning starting Friday, October 19, for all those who were "killed or wounded in the bomb attacks which we condemn."
JOURNALIST KILLED
Besides Christian workers, journalists were also among the victims, including a camera man, the International Federation of Journalists told BosNewsLife in a statement. At least one other journalist was injured. The IFJ said these deaths highlighted the danger that media face in covering violent events.
"This terrible attack had many, many victims whose deaths we condemn," said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. “We are standing in solidarity with our colleagues in Pakistan, who cover many dangerous stories even at the risk of their own safety."
Pakistan is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, the IFJ said, adding that at least seven journalists have been killed there this year and "many others have been threatened, harassed or received other types of intimidation."
SUSPECTS ‘IDENTIFIED’
Speaking at a news conference, Bhutto told reporters she held three individuals responsible for the suicide bombings including the son of former Pakistani President General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, who oversaw 11-years of military dictatorship.
She said she had no doubts that Zia-ul-Haq’s son, Ijaz-ul-Haq, was involved in the blasts, after police and volunteers of a human aid group collected body parts of the attackers. Officials also confirmed the blasts were "suicide bomb attacks."
It was not immediately clear what evidence there was implicating the son of the former Pakistani ruler. In a statement monitored by BosNewsLife, Ijaz-ul-Haq condemned the attacks and denied any involvement in them. He said politicians should not "play blame games" ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections in January.
TALIBAN DENIAL
A top commander of the militant Taliban group has reportedly denied any involvement in Thursday’s carnage, and no other group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which has been strongly condemned around the world. President Pervez Musharraf also denounced the attack, and he promised a thorough investigation, news reports said.
Pakistani Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said officials urged Bhutto not to drive through Karachi’s clogged streets, for security reasons, and advised her to fly into the center of the southern port city by helicopter, thE Voice of America (VOA) network reported.
Sherpao said the leadership of Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party refused to agree to a flight, so they bear some responsibility for the attack. However Bhutto’s husband, Asif Ali Zardari, has to accused government and intelligence agencies of involvement in the attack for fear of losing power.
MAJOR SETBACK
The attacks were regarded as a setback for Christian leaders who had hoped Bhutto would be able to reconcile the country following religious tensions. Churches have been attacked and Christians threatened with death by Muslim militants in recent months.
While he condemned Islamic extremism, critics claim President Musharraf has been unable to stop the attacks. They have also expressed concerns about blasphemy laws under which several Christians have been detained.
Christians comprise less than three percent of Pakistan’s roughly 160-million people.
