Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh for Culture and Tourism Ms Sharmila Farooqui on Sunday paid glowing tribute to former PPP chairperson Shaheed Benazir Bhutto on her 62nd birthday anniversary, and said Benazir Bhutto was a great democracy-loving leader.
“Benazir Bhutto made the people of Pakistan realise democracy and follow it for the best interest of people and its country. She was a true leader for the country’s people, but unfortunately anti-democracy forces did not let her complete her mission of making the country prosperous as they dissolved her governments twice,” Sharmila said in a statement.
Sharmila recalled that Benazir was the 11th prime minister of Pakistan who served for two non-consecutive terms in 1988-90 and then 1993-96. In 1982, three years after her father’s assassination, Benazir Bhutto became the chairperson of the PPP, becoming the first woman in Pakistan to head a major political party. “In 1988, she became the first woman to be elected as the head of an Islamic state’s government. Benazir also remains Pakistan’s only female prime minister,” Sharmila said.
She said: “Benazir Bhutto drove initiatives for Pakistan’s economy and national security, and she implemented social-capitalist policies for industrial development and growth. Her political philosophy and economic policies emphasized on flexible labour and economic policies. In 1993, Bhutto was elected for a second term after the 1993 parliamentary elections. In 1996, her government was dismissed by President Farooq Leghari in a shocking manner. Bhutto was forced into exile in Dubai in 1999. Nine years later, in 2007, she returned to Pakistan and on 27 December 2007, she embraced martyrdom. She ensured deep roots in democracy and people of Pakistan in Pakistan. Her struggle as a Muslim woman was historic.”
“Benazir Bhutto always loved her people, country and democracy. She laid down her life for safeguarding democracy and the country. She wanted Pakistan to be self-reliant in every sector of life, but anti-democracy forces did not want to see her leading Pakistan in right direction.” Sharmila said Benazir was fully determined to fight conspiracies faced by the country and the nation.
She said Benazir strengthened the federation and ensured inter-provincial harmony besides bringing real democracy to the country. The best way to pay homage to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was to continue her struggle for achieving the goal of federal polity and promote her political and ideological philosophy, which were in the best interest of the nation. She said that Benazir raised political awareness among people and bravely fought dictatorship.
She said Benazir Bhutto remained prime minister of Pakistan twice and led the masses in dashing manners and won votes from all corners of Pakistan. Being a popular leader of the masses, she attracted large crowds on various public meetings and rallies.
“Benazir Bhutto persuaded other important political leaders to participate in the planned Jan 8 election, which she viewed as an opportunity to challenge religious extremist forces in the public square. She achieved opportunity by bravely traveling throughout the country amid serious threats to her life, supporting democracy,” Sharmila concluded.