Literally miraculous was his survival in the suicide bombing that is reported to have killed nine people, including the unidentified bomber himself. Coming in the midst of a multi-pronged terrorist onslaught, the motive behind the ghastly attack should not be difficult to comprehend.
It will be seen as fitting completely with the dirty conspiracy hatched against the country, among other things, to retard the country's economic growth and to frustrate development efforts being ably pursued under Shaukat's stewardship.
This will fully explain the widespread condemnation of the diabolical event as also the feeling of righteous indignation of President Pervez Musharraf, who has not only condemned it but also reaffirmed the government's determination to continue the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Many and varied have been the modus operandi of the terrorists targeting Pakistan. Viewed in this perspective, the timing and site of the attack may appear to be an attempt at giving it a dangerous political disguise. Linked to a crucial political contest, it could be mistaken for a conspiracy to create political turmoil by targeting an election candidate of the ruling party, pointing to the possibility of a miscalculated mischief by any of the parties opposed to him.
It will be recalled that Shaukat Aziz, a distinguished Citibank senior executive, was chosen by President Pervez Musharraf as the country's Finance Minister, in the wake of the political change of October 1999. His inclusion in the team formed to stabilise the country in all respects, appears to have been motivated essentially by the urge to retrieve its badly shattered economy from the rock bottom it had hit. Needless to say, his choice was adequately rewarded, as evidenced the laurels he has earned inside and outside the country for the laudable manner in which he accomplished the assigned task. His achievements have been acknowledged by men from all walks of life, including businessmen and politicians, irrespective of political differences.
This, of course, has reference to the series of economic reforms he has seen through and expert handling of national finances. Having turned around the country's battered economy in a smooth manner and adding a great deal more to its potential, his nomination by the ruling coalition as the next Prime Minister will certainly be viewed by many as well deserved as more valuable services are expected from him in the coming years, for which he has been providentially saved from the bombing aimed at him. But what has happened should not have happened, in view of the really tight security measures taken for his protection.
Needless to point out, this should cause worries about the security lapses and the weaknesses in the policing system. Now that the government will have to unearth the whole conspiracy and to apprehend the people and forces behind it, they would certainly deserve an exemplary punishment. It needs to be ensured that such ghastly incidents do not happen again.