ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Raza Rabbani on Friday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi urging him to name the new Islamabad airport after former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Aviation Sardar Mehtab Abbasi earlier said that the Benazir Bhutto International Airport will henceforth at its new premises be called Islamabad International Airport.
He had said that the new Islamabad airport will not be named after any personality.
Responding to his statement, Rabbani said, “It is an unfortunate reflection on how we honour our civilian national heroes.”
“Benazir was a valiant fighter in the struggle for democracy, rule of law and the supremacy of the constitution. She freed this country from the shackles of Zia’s martial law and was assassinated in the streets of Rawalpindi, crusading against terrorism and extremism,” he added in his letter to the premier.
Rabbani also said, “In memory of her assassination, the said airport was named Benazir Bhutto International Airport. This is not uncommon. I am sure you will recall that Idlewood International Airport, New York, US was renamed as John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport after his assassination in Dallas, Texas. A large number of airports throughout the world bear the names of prominent international personalities.”
The PPP senator further upheld, “This petty act will not subtract Benazir’s place in history but it is a sad reflection on us as a nation and more particularly on the government.”