Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, the daughter of the East, was the finest political figure of the country. She had charismatic personality. She was the world's most popular woman politician. She was a symbol of democracy for the people of Pakistan and the world as well. She made a history.
She was the first Muslim Woman Prime Minister in Islamic World. She was a true fighter for those want to live and to die for a great cause, for those who want to live a peaceful life and let live others. Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was in favour of a moderate and liberal Pakistan. No doubt, she was against military dominations, she was in favour of free and fair elections, true democracy was her dream. It is a fact the Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was the most popular leader of the people, the bold and fearless fighter for democratic norms and human rights, the only leader who was appreciated by the West for her broad vision and enlightenment and courage. She was a threat to extremism.
Enemy of the country, enemy of the hope assassinated her, because these anti-state, anti people do not want stability in the country, they like anarchy in the country. Most probably, she was martyred by those who bitterly opposed her in the name of religion, patriotism or out of sheer hatred of her for she was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's daughter. Her life is a symbol of courage and untiring struggle. She was the daughter of an intelligent and brave Prime Minister Zulfikar
Ali Bhutto. She did her politics when things had virtually changed. Her politics was much difficult because the world had changed into unipollar. Privatisation had taken place nationalisation. She had to face a very tough time because after the incident of 9/11, the world's politics took a new turn. Since the regime of Zia-ul-Haq, the undemocratic forces have always tried to push back democratic forces. During that period the whole country felt a wave of terror and suffocation. Political workers, leaders, representatives of civil society, intellectuals journalists, teachers and lawyers were beaten, arrested and dismissed from jobs. At that time Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto with her will power changed the scenario. Her courage, her boldness, her vision gave impetus to the people of Pakistan.
Benazir Bhutto's welcome in Lahore was a matchless as she was herself. She herself belonged to a small province but she was great preacher and a symbol of federation and following her foot steps. PPP believe in strong federation. She loved Pakistan and she sacrificed her life for the country and she had an international vision. Today, when the country is facing extremism, and religious fanaticism, that is a menace to be countered very boldly, her absence is felt very much. It is a fact that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was a bold and fearless supporter of democratic norms and human values. She possessed broad vision and enlightenment and courage.
Her political career is a clear proof of her courage. She returned to Pakistan in June, 1977, planning on a career in the foreign service, but sudden changes forced her to spend next eighteen months in and out of house arrest as she struggled to rally political support to force Zia-ul-Haq to drop fallacious murder charges against her father, but her struggle could not get success and the great leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged in April 1977.
During her life time Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had to face many sorrows like suspicious death of her brother) Shahnawaz Bhutto, murder of another brother Mir Murtaza Bhutto, imprisonment corruption charges, but she faced all hurdles as a bold leader. Undoubtedly, she was the leader of four provinces. She was the leader of all people. Her assassination is the murder of people's hopes. Her departure from the world has dashed the hopes of the poor to the ground, but the present democratic government has committed to fulfil the dreams of Benazir Bhutto.
True democracy, free and fair elections were her loftiest dreams. Throughout her life, she fought against menace of religious intolerance, extremism and fanatism. As a politician, Prime Minister, opposition leader, mother, daughter and wife she played her role very beautifully and proved herself worthy of praise. She was a regular visitor to western capitals, delivering lectures at universities and think-tanks and meeting government officials. She has been mentioned as the world's most popular politician in the New Guinness Book of Record 1996.
The Times and the Australian Magazine (May 4, 1996) have drawn up a list of 100 most powerful women and have included Benazir Bhutto as one of them. She has received many honorary degrees and awards from several countries. She is the author of two books. Foreign Policy in Perspective (1978) and her auto biography Daughter of the East (1989) Several collections of her speeches and works have been compiled which include, 'The Way Out, Pakistan Foreign Policy, Challenges and Responses in the post cold war era in 'Afghan the cold war' by Keith Philip Lepor and Male Domination of Women offends her Islamic religion in Lend Me your ears Great speeches in History by William Saffire. She has also contributed to many periodicals and to the books, 'Predictions for the Next Millennium' by Kristof and Nicherson and 'Book of Hopes and Dreams' published by Bookmaster Inc.
Today Pakistan Peoples Party under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari is working on the guidelines given by her. Today, we promise ourselves to bring prosperity, tolerance and peace and love to our fellow countrymen as desired by our great leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
May Good bless our people and country (Ameen).