World | Pakistan
Diary and timeline of Bhutto's travel
Two-time former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto started her journey to win a third stint in power from the comfort of her luxury villa in Emirates Hills in Dubai to the political quagmire of her country.
- By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:32 October 18, 2007
- Benazir Bhutto gives a wave to her supporters as she prepares to leave for Dubai airport.
- Image Credit: Vazhisojan/Gulf News
Dubai/Karachi: Two-time former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto started her journey to win a third stint in power from the comfort of her luxury villa in Emirates Hills in Dubai to the political quagmire of her country.
- Audio: Gulf News reporter Ashfaq Ahmed speaks to Radio Two about Benazir Bhutto's return to Pakistan (mp3)
- Audio: Benazir Bhutto talks about the threats which have been made to her (mp3)
- Audio: Benazir Bhutto talks about the deal with President Musharraf (mp3)
- Audio: Benazir Bhutto talks about the battle for hearts and minds (mp3)
She never expected the amazing response she was going to get when she started her journey from home around 7.20am on Thursday. Camera shutters started clicking when she came out of the house passing through the main door with the Holy Quran on her head. Her party supporters and media corps from around the world started gathering outside her house in Dubai as early as 5am.
She sat in back seat of a luxury black Mercedez S600 car with her two daughters while her husband Asif Ali Zardari was in the front seat - smiling but concerned.
She drove to the airport in the caravan of vehicles at 7.25am. Her supporters and media team waiting at the airport outside Emirates departure lounge were a bit disappointed because she was whisked through the VIP gate at 7.50am to board the plane. She secured her boarding card a day before her flight.
She boarded the flight EK-303 to Karachi at about 10.05am while the departure time was 10am. As she entered the plane, her supporters started chanting slogans, much to the surprise of the cabin crew, which struggled to keep them calm but fail.
Security was called in and flight captain Richard Harry, after welcoming Benazir Bhutto on board, announced the he would not take off until everyone sat in their seats.
The flight was delayed for more than one hour as it took off at 11.05am. As the flight flew to achieve the cruising altitude of 37,000 feet, supporters again stood up and started chanting in front of television cameras.
Flight purser Obaid Fikiri kept his cool as he understood the situation and called Rehman Malik, security advisor of Bhutto to keep the excited passengers seated.
But, the slogans started again as Bhutto entered economy class at around 11.30am to talk to media and thanked her party supporters. Except a few regular passengers, everyone who was part of the Bhutto's entourage consisting of about 200 journalists and party supporters, gathered around her, some even standing on seats.
She remained with supporters and talked to media for about 45 minutes until the flight announcement was made to go back to their seats as plane is going to start descending.
The cabin crew could not serve the meal but some helped themselves and took meal trays from the cabin kitchen.
“This is the most difficult flight in my life,'' commented a stewardess, who remained in the kitchen most of the time except shouting loudly at passengers to sit down while the plane was landing.
The plane touched down around 2pm. Bhutto's supporters blocked the door gate but gave way to media when Bhutto herself announced on the in-fight announcement system to let journalists go first.
Media disembarked at the tarmac at about 2.15pm while Bhutto followed them climbing down the stairs with her party supporters.
She was also greeted by hundreds of staff members of the Pakistan International Airlines, who were on duty but started chanting slogans to welcome her. Airport Security Force tried hard to keep them away before Bhutto was taken to the VIP lounge.
The media team was separated because of the confusion. Some vehicles carrying journalists followed Bhutto to the VIP lounge while dozens of journalists were taken to another terminal and got stranded.
At 3.20pm, Bhutto climbed on the top of a truck defying the security ring and refused to sit in the bullet proof car, especially brought for her protection.
Bhutto's truck covered a distance of only a couple of kilometers and it is expected that it would take her more than 15 hours to reach the mausoleum of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, to address the public meeting.
As the internet connection at the airport was down and hotels were overcrowded, I found Sadiq Khan, first class cricket umpire, in Shah Faisal Colony while I was desperately looking for transport and internet cafe. He took me to his house and also served tea and provided me internet connection to file my reports - hats off to great Karachites.
At 12:15 am the rally was disrupted when the two bomb erupted. Shortly after that, Bhutto was taken to her house for safety.
Share this article
News Editor's choice
-
Anti-terror force enlisted for Haj
Aerial surveillance to complement normal security operations
-
English to stay as medium of instruction
Lack of funding of scientific research in Arab world criticised
-
Global Village opens with a revamped layout
Four gates will have themes making it easier to find specific pavilions
