Lahore: Accusing President Pervez Musharraf of not doing enough to protect top Opposition leaders who faced terrorist threats, former premier Nawaz Sharif on Monday said the death of Benazir Bhutto is a setback to Pakistan's quest for democracy.
"Pakistan today is a military state in which a former Prime Minister can be gunned down in broad day light. These are without a doubt gloomiest days in country's history and such are the wages of dictatorship," Sharif told a press conference here.
He pointed out that top political leader, including former premiers like him and Bhutto, were not being provided adequate security despite threats to their lives. "On the other hand, Mr Musharraf moves around with 10 armoured cars," he remarked.
Adequate security personnel were also not deployed to guard opposition leaders though former federal ministers had both security guards and bulletproof vehicles, Sharif said.
"Mohtarma Bhutto paid for the bulletproof car that she was using. I have also paid for my armoured car," Sharif said.
He said Bhutto had returned to the country in an effort to restore democracy in Pakistan.
"She served as country's Prime Minister twice and had returned to the country in an effort to restore order and return Pakistan to the path of democracy," Sharif said.
Criticising the government for lawlessness, Sharif said Bhutto's death has shaken the country.
