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Northeast Ohio Remembers Benazir Bhutto

It's been 35 years since Fareed Siddiq moved here from Pakistan, but he's always kept in touch with his homeland through annual visits and phone calls to family in Karachi. Recent calls have told him about protests and rioting sparked by the Bhutto assassination. Siddiq and his wife had dinner with Benazir Bhutto when she was in Cleveland a year and a half ago.

SIDDIQ: She was very articulate, knows what she's talking about...very charismatic, as was her father.

Fareed Siddiq says strong personalities play a big part in Pakistani politics and her death leaves a major vacuum. For now, Siddiq says his family is safe, and he hopes that this event will bring further world pressure on officials in Islamabad to democratize the country and take influence away from militant groups who seek power through violence.

David C. Barnett was a senior arts & culture reporter for Ideastream Public Media. He retired in October 2022.