New Delhi, Dec 28 (UNI) Describing the assasination of Pakistan's Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto as "shocking and condemnable", former Prime Minister V P Singh today expressed the hope that her sacrifice will strengthen the forces of democracy and peace in Pakistan.

In a statement here, he said in her death the Indian sub-continent has lost one of the most stalwart leader. "Her demise is a very big setback to the democratic process." In a separate statement, Mr H D Deve Gowda, another former Prime Minister, said her assasination " is a most heinous,brutal and dastardly crime against humanity at large and the people of Pakistan in particular." Also describing it a major setback to the ongoing democratic process in Pakistan, he said the murder is an indicator of the growing scourge of terrorism and the threat it poses to the sub-continent."In her death, the late leader has followed the footsteps of her father late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who too had the supreme sacrifice at the altar of democracy." Mr Deve Gowda appealed to all democracy-loving people of Pakistan to maintain peace,exercise restraint and work for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan, which would be a real and befitting tribute t the later leader.

UNI