NEW YORK ( CNN ) -- In the days after Benazir Bhutto 's assassination , it will be tempting to reach two hasty conclusions : that she was Pakistan 's last great hope and that her geo-politically crucial country has revealed itself to be inherently hopeless . Irshad Manji is a controversial Muslim feminist and activist from Toronto , Canada . On each front , I take a different view . While far more liberal and democratic than Gen. Musharraf , Bhutto disappointed moderate , modern Pakistanis with her adherence to feudal politics . Writing to me through my Web site , American feminists say they are `` aching '' over the loss of `` our dear , sweet , brave Benazir . '' I understand the sentiment . But `` brave '' is not the word used by Pakistani women from whom I 've also heard . They 're hurting more over Bhutto 's `` self-imposed '' conformity . `` She never realized her potential , '' a woman from Karachi tells me . `` And not because she was killed but because when she had the chance , she did not effectively challenge the backward mindset that has now led to her demise . '' For example , during Bhutto 's time in office , Pakistan did n't defy the anti-female rape and adultery laws . Those notorious ordinances , known as Hudood , took their inspiration from tribal politics masquerading as Islam . Watch Manji argue on CNN why Bhutto 's legacy is mixed » . Imagine the opportunity : Bhutto could have championed a purer faith by tackling corrupt cultural practices . In so doing , she might have created allies among conservatives , who can be persuaded that although Islam is God-given , culture is man-made . Last year , a media campaign to strike down the Hudood Ordinances achieved this fine balance . But not because of her . And that , say many progressive Pakistanis , amputates Bhutto 's legacy . The fact that cruel laws against women can be publicly debated at all should suggest that Pakistan has hope anyway . An exceptional leader can tap into it . History tells us so . There was a time when Pakistan 's democratic politicians stuck it to the feudal fanatics . Bhutto 's father , Zulfikar Ali Bhutto , was once heckled by a religious fundamentalist . `` You drink alcohol ! '' shouted the critic . `` Yes , '' retorted the elder Bhutto , `` but I do n't drink the blood of the people ! '' His response captured the spirit of Muhammad Ali Jinnah , Pakistan 's founder . In 1947 , Jinnah exuded high hopes for his people : `` You are free . You are free to go to your temples , you are free to go to your mosques , or to any other place of worship in the State of Pakistan . `` You may belong to any religion or caste or creed . That has nothing to do with the business of the state . We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens of one state ... You will find that in due course of time , Hindus will cease to be Hindus and Muslims will cease to be Muslims , not in the religious sense ... but in the political sense as citizens of the state . '' Jinnah meant every word of his unconventional vision because he , himself , lived as a maverick . He adored his non-Muslim wife , and his sister often appeared with him on the campaign trail . Her visibility attested to Islam 's embrace of women as partners of men . In the months ahead , the people of Pakistan will need to recall Jinnah 's vision . It may be of comfort know that they 're not alone . Countless Americans are now asking about their founders ' intentions , desperate to re-discover the better angels of their country after eight years of George W. Bush . Still , Pakistan must avoid America 's enduring mistake . The United States lapsed into profound divisiveness following the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy . Many would argue that today 's politics of polarization can be traced to the unresolved trauma of the King-Kennedy murders . For Pakistan , it 's high time to transcend both trauma and tribalism . I pray that in death , Benazir Bhutto will be the catalyst for a deeper democracy than she ever advocated in life . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer . E-mail to a friend .
Manji says Bhutto disappointed some because she adhered to feudal politics . During Bhutto 's time in office , writer says , she did not defy anti-rape laws . Pakistan must `` transcend both trauma and tribalism , '' Manji says .