H. Res. 912 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

January 16, 2008. 

Whereas on December 27, 2007, former Pakistani Prime 

Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated while departing a peaceful election rally; 

Whereas the attack on Ms. Bhutto also killed some 20 other 

innocent bystanders and fellow Muslims; 

Whereas Ms. Bhutto had returned to Pakistan in October 

2007 after 8 years of self-imposed exile for the stated 

purpose of bringing democracy and the voice of moderation back to Pakistan; 

Whereas Pakistan has struggled historically in its path toward a secure and stable democracy, having been ruled 

by unelected leaders for 34 out of 60 years of Pakistan’s 

history; 

Whereas Pakistan has been plagued by over 40 suicide attacks, claiming over 700 lives in 2007; 

Whereas the Federally Administered Tribal Areas in Pakistan are being used by al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other 

terrorist and extremist elements to regroup, retrain, and 

recruit for future attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan; 

Whereas Pakistan is a nuclear-armed nation, adding another 

level of complexity to Pakistan’s deteriorating security 
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situation and raising the specter of nuclear arms falling 

into the hands of extremists in the future; 

Whereas the international community has a vital interest in 

supporting a free, stable, and secure Pakistan so as to 

stem the rise of extremism in the region, prevent global 

acts of terrorism originating in Pakistan, and support the 

movement toward stable political institutions and democratic values and the rule of law; 

Whereas in the past 5 years, the United States has provided 

over $5,000,000,000 in assistance to Pakistan and an additional $5,000,000,000 to reimburse Pakistan for its expenses incurred in combating terrorism; 

Whereas a significant portion of United States assistance and 

reimbursements have gone to support Pakistani military 

operations in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region, 

counterterrorism operations in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas in Pakistan and to increase Pakistan’s 

counterterrorism and military capability; 

Whereas there is an acute need for additional assistance from 

the United States and other countries to support and 

promote Pakistan’s economic, social, and political development; and 

Whereas the tragic death of Ms. Bhutto creates even greater 

uncertainty in an unstable region: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) condemns in the strongest terms the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto 

and expresses its condolences to her family and the families of all those who were killed or injured in the attack 

of December 27, 2007; 
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(2) supports efforts by Pakistan to expeditiously 

bring to justice those who have perpetrated this cruel 

and cowardly attack; 

(3) welcomes the provision of assistance by the Government of the United Kingdom of expertise to the Government of Pakistan in the conduct of the investigation 

of the attack; 

(4) commends the Government of Pakistan for accepting such assistance and urges that government to 

allow experts from the United Kingdom to participate in 

such investigation in the fullest possible manner; 

(5) urges the people and Government of Pakistan to 

be relentless in its pursuit of a democratically-elected 

government, including the holding of free and fair elections at the earliest possible opportunity; 

(6) expresses its support for the freedom of the 

media, the ability of political parties to express their 

views without restriction, and the independence of the 

judiciary in Pakistan; and 
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(7) reaffirms the commitment of the United States 

to assist the people of Pakistan in combating terrorist 

activity and promoting a free and democratic Pakistan. 

Attest: 

Clerk.