Diplomats pay homage to Benazir

Many members of the Pakistani community also gathered at the mission to recite fateha prayers for her.

Riaz H. Bukhari, charge d’affaires of the Pakistani embassy, said, “This is a national loss for us. Benazir Bhutto had an international stature. We should be united and work for prosperity.”

Talking to Khaleej Times, the Indian ambassador to the UAE, Talmiz Ahmad, who came to the Pakistan embassy to pay his condolences on behalf of the Indian embassy and Indian community, said, “Extremist terror has ended the life of a brilliant leader.”

The US ambassador to the UAE, Michele Sison, said, “The entire people of the US extend their deepest sympathy and condolences on the death of Benazir Bhutto, who made many friends in the US. She will be missed by not only the people of Pakistan but also by the people of the US. Those who perpetrated this terrible attack must be punished.”

Japan’s ambassador to the UAE, Takuma Hatano, said, “This is a serious tragedy for Pakistan. I had an opportunity to meet Bhutto when she came to Tokyo. She was a great leader and a brilliant woman. I express my sincere condolence to her family.”

Mohammed Nabavi Junaid, ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE, said, “We consider Bhutto’s death a great loss to the SAARC countries. She had taken very keen interest in our country as a member of SAARC.”

Li Lingbing, consular of Chinese embassy in Abu Dhabi, said, “I feel great sorrow as she was our friend. She was a great lady.”

Dr Gerald Kriechbaum, envoy of Australia to the UAE, said, “I met her couple of times here. She was a great personality.”