Amritsar Dec. 28: Sikh leaders from around the world have condemned the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in a suicide attack on Thursday.

Dr. Pritpal Singh, Convener of the American Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC), said the assassination must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, and called for democracy to restored in Pakistan at the earliest.

Expressing his sadness over Bhutto's "tragic death”, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (PSGPC) chief, Bishen Singh, said that this was a great loss for Pakistan who has lost their one of the most favored leader. “Lek insane ka katal sari insaniyat ka katal hain” (This should not be seen as the murder of one individual, but the murder of humanity), said he.

He urged President Musharraf to call an all-party meeting to lay down a strong plan to fight terrorism.

Avtar Singh Makkar, the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), expressed his condolences. He said that she has given her sacrifice for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. He said: ”I extend my condolences to the family of Benazir Bhutto, the Pakistani people”.

Manmohan Singh, the chairman of the World Muslim Sikh Federation, said Benazir’s death is a tragedy for "the entire world”. He described her as a woman of immense courage who supported democracy. He appealed to President Musharraf to step up efforts to establish peace in the region.

Washington based Sikh leader Dr. Amarjit Singh said that violence anywhere is regrettable. Karan Singh, a spokesperson for the Sikh Foundation of Switzerland said that even though she knew that she was risking her life by returning to Pakistan, Bhutto dared to do so as she was keen about the restoration of democracy in that country. (ANI)