LAHORE (Dunya News) – The 71st birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan's first woman prime minister and a martyred leader of the Pakistan People's Party, is being observed today [Friday].
According to Sindh Local Government Minister and PPP leader Saeed Ghani, the main ceremony on the occasion will be organised in Chakiwara area of Lyari Town.
He said that the ceremony was being organised in Lyari on the instructions of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
He added that Bilawal would make a speech at the ceremony.
DAUGHTER OF THE EAST
Born on June 21, 1953, at Pinto Nursing Home in Karachi, Benazir Bhutto followed in the footsteps of her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, becoming a prominent figure in both national and international politics.
Benazir pursued higher education at Radcliffe College, Harvard University, and Oxford University, where she earned degrees in Political Science, Economics, and Philosophy. Her early life was marked by accompanying her father on diplomatic trips and meeting numerous world leaders.
She emerged as a student leader during her time at Oxford University and bravely resisted the authoritarian regime of General Ziaul Haq, enduring periods of detention.
In 1982, Benazir was elected chairperson of the PPP, and after enduring exile, she returned triumphantly to Pakistan in 1986, receiving an unprecedented reception in Lahore.
In 1987, she married Asif Ali Zardari.
Following a historic electoral victory in 1988, Benazir Bhutto became Pakistan's first female Prime Minister.
Her tenure was marked by challenges, including dismissal by former President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, yet she persisted in her political struggle. Despite facing exile again, Benazir Bhutto reclaimed the Prime Ministership in 1993, only to be dismissed once more in 1996.
On her return to Pakistan in October 2007, she was welcomed with historic enthusiasm, but her convoy was attacked in Karachi's Karsaz area, resulting in the loss of over 250 lives.
Later that year, on December 27, 2007, following a rally in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh, she was fatally attacked, leaving behind a profound legacy in global and regional politics.
BILAWAL’S MESSAGE
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has paid rich tribute to Benazir Bhutto on her 71st birth anniversary, describing her as a leader who embodied vision, values and progress.
In a press release from the PPP, Bilawal remarked that June 21 marked a significant day of reflection for the nation.
“On this occasion, I honor my mother, a beacon of hope, resilience, and inspiration. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto propelled Pakistan forward in scientific, economic, and industrial fields, tirelessly working for tolerance, unity, civil liberties, and democracy. She believed in equal opportunities, envisioning a Pakistan where prosperity was shared, and no one was left behind,” he highlighted.
Bilawal noted that despite facing severe trials and solitary confinement by dictatorial regimes, Benazir Bhutto remained steadfast, fighting against tyranny until her last breath.
“She taught us the power of forgiveness and that true leadership rises above personal grudges,” he added.
Bilawal pledged to continue her struggle against injustice and exploitation, aiming for an egalitarian and welfare state.
“Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, your spirit and teachings endure. On this special day, we celebrate your life and reaffirm our dedication to your values. May we continuously draw inspiration from your courage and unwavering dedication to Pakistan,” Bilawal concluded.