Warning: This post was published more than 9 years ago.

I keep old posts on the site because sometimes it's interesting to read old content. Not everything that is old is bad. Also, I think people might be interested to track how my views have changed over time: for example, how my strident teenage views have mellowed and matured!

But given the age of this post, please bear in mind:

• My views might have changed in the 9 years since I wrote this post.
• This post might use language in ways which I would now consider inappropriate or offensive.
• Factual information might be outdated.
• Links might be broken; embedded material might not appear properly.

Many thanks for your understanding.

Even days after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the impact for the homeland she loved so dearly is still far from clear.

The tragedy of her death is certain: A 54 year-old who had spent much of her life fighting for true citizen-led democracy in Pakistan silenced not through reasoned argument but through mindless violence. The first female leader of an Islamic nation in modern history killed whilst trying to improve life for her fellow citizens. Her three children left without a mother, her husband without a wife.

I only hope that the violence of the last two days in Pakistan is short-lived, and that people will continue in her tradition of arguing eloquently, powerfully, and persistently for true representation of the people of Pakistan and against dangerous extremism.

A full and detailed obituary for Benazir Bhutto is available on Guardian Unlimited or BBC News.

May she rest in peace.