Oklahomans React To Bhutto's Death

Thursday, December 27th 2007, 10:53 pm

By: News On 6

The ripple effects of Bhutto's assassination can be felt in Oklahoma. News On 6 anchor Omar Villafranca reports there are some in Oklahoma who are worried about the impact Bhuttoâ€™s assassination will have on Pakistan.

The news of Benazir Bhutto's assassination spread quickly to Pakistan native Jamal Miftah.

"I got this call this morning from my nephew and he says it's bad. And, they were just fearing a sort of civil war in the coming days. That's what they're fearing,â€ said Jamal Miftah.

The news shocked Miftah, but didn't surprise him. He says his native country has taken a turn for the worse in the last few years because of extremists.

â€œIt's anarchy there. It's chaos there. There's suicide bombing going on. This was never in the history of Pakistan,â€ said Jamal Miftah, Pakistan native.

Former Oklahoma Governor David Walters spends time in Pakistan on business. Walters visited Pakistan earlier this year before Bhutto returned from exile. Something he heard foreshadowed her assassination.

"When I was last there in October, one of the top religious leaders said he had 50 suicide bombers waiting for her return. That's the kind of country it is and being difficult to govern,â€ said former Oklahoma Governor David Walters.

Walters has worked with Pakistan's President Pervez Musharaff and believes the United States needs to keep supporting the country's quest for democracy.

"It really underscores the importance of finding a way to support that country because we don't have that many friends in that region and that country has been a friend to the U.S.,â€ said former Governor Walters.

But, Jamal Miftah believes his native Pakistan may have another battle on its hands.

"We probably have to see the chances of the existence of Pakistan right now, not the democracy,â€ said Pakistan native Jamal Miftah.

There has been rioting in the country. And that violent reaction is what has Jamal Miftah worried for his familyâ€™s safety.

Watch the video: Oklahoma Connections To Bhutto

Watch the video: Another Oklahoma Reacts To Bhutto's Death