ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was a living embodiment of courage and determination who continued to serve as a shining example of struggle against oppression and injustice.
In his message on the eve of 4th Martyrdom Day of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto being observed on Dec 27, the Prime Minister said, she was firm in her resolve and had full faith in the people of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said December 27 revives the scars caused by a gruesome incident in the country's history when Pakistan was deprived of a leader of international stature, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
Following the footprints of her illustrious father Shaheed Zulifqar Ali Bhutto and as an inheritor of his legacy, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto joined politics for restoration and strengthening of democracy in the country, the Prime Minister said.
He said Shaheed Benazir was a brave woman who regarded the restoration and protection of people's rights as her foremost responsibility despite dangers posed to her life, adding that she devoted her energies, God-given qualities of head and heart and even her life for the cause of the people.
The Prime Minister said history would remember Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as a statesperson, political leader of the highest order and an intellectual who made the ultimate sacrifice for safeguarding the rights of the people.
Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the Prime Minister said faced the rigorous imprisonment and exile during her worth-living life but these formidable difficulties could not sway her iron-like determination.
Mohtarma's personality, he said, was captivating and her way of speech could allure the listeners for hours. The entire world including both friends and foes acknowledge her wisdom, intellect, statesmanship and generosity and hold her in high esteem, he added.
"Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had a grave concern on political, civilizational and economic conflicts among the countries of the world. She wanted to eliminate those differences which threatened global harmony and endeavoured to build bridges between civilizations, Islam, democracy and western traditions so that the global peace could be established on the principles of co-existence," the Prime Minister said and added that it led her to propound the theory of reconciliation both at home and abroad.
The Prime Minister said that Benazir Bhutto was a great torch bearer of forbearance, tolerance and human brotherhood which is the essence of Islam in the real sense.
Unwavering optimism in future, belief in the strength of dialogue and commitment to democracy were the distinct ways of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, which defined her life, the Prime Minister said.
He said that reconciliation, she believed, is a perfect recipe for avoidance of clash of civilizations; and democracy, economic development, moderation and modernity are the effective tools against international terrorism.
The Prime Minister said that she was a firm believer that Islam and democracy are compatible to each other.
The present democratic government, he said, has launched a number of development projects in diverse areas of national life in the light of her vision.
Initiatives like the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, Aagz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Initiative, the adoption of 7th NFC Award, Gilgit-Baltistan Self-Governance & Empowerment Act, Introduction of Political Parties Act in FATA and Reforms in FCR, Benazir Income Support Programme, enactment of laws for empowerment of women, and successful fight against terrorism and extremism are the contributions of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said the country is faced with numerous daunting challenges at different levels at the moment but we are determined to overcome these, come what may.
He said natural calamities and law and order situation have adversely affected the economic growth. Rather, more the challenges, the firmer our resolve to defeat them is and put the country on trajectory of socio-economic development.
"Let us pray to Allah Almighty to serve the nation in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Shaheed Zulifqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto," the Prime Minister said.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011
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