No obvious successor to lead Bhutto's party: analysts
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 28 December 2007 1727 hrs

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SINGAPORE : There is no obvious successor to lead the Pakistan People's Party following the death of its leader Benazir Bhutto, according to a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at Singapore's Institute of South Asian Studies.

Professor Ishtiaq Ahmed also expects the days ahead for Pakistan following the assassination to continue to be tumultuous.

Meanwhile, Singapore's Foreign Ministry said it is closely monitoring the situation and has advised Singaporeans travelling to the country to reconsider their plans if there are no pressing reasons to go there now.

Analysts have described Ms Bhutto as a leader for the popular masses, and someone who was concerned for the common man.

Professor Ishtiaq explained, "(This is) simple because there has not been the democratic process in place for people to normally express their preferences.

"So it was the Pakistan People's Party founded by her father at the end of 1967 which emerged as the party of the poor and the neglected classes of Pakistan. And that reputation of being the party of the underdog has been the reputation of the PPP."

Professor Ishtiaq does not think Ms Bhutto's husband stands the chance of becoming a national leader to take over the reins of the Pakistan People's Party.

For the opposition as a whole, former premier Nawaz Sharif stands to gain the most, but he has indicated boycotting the coming elections.

Professor Ishtiaq said, "If Pervez Musharraf now wants to have them (the elections) on the 8th of January, it is only going to be an indication of his complete loss of touch with

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the reality. Nobody is going to take the 8th January election seriously. It is too soon after this major catastrophe. So I think elections will be postponed.

"He and (Ms Bhutto) were reportedly working out some power sharing deal. Now he is without a partner to have a deal with. So I think his own position is radically diminished. Personally I think he will be forced to leave."

Researchers on South Asia feel that a greater integration of countries of that region, especially India and Pakistan, would bring about much economic benefits, especially in this age of globalisation.

But they also regret that that is probably a long time away to achieve, especially with current developments in Pakistan.

Professor Ishtiaq said it is a very depressing time for Pakistan, and he thinks the country is in for several weeks of instability, turmoil, and bloodshed. - CNA/ms