18th death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto marked nationwide

LARKANA: The 18th death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto is being observed with great devotion and respect across Pakistan and the world.

On this occasion, President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and other members of the Bhutto family paid tribute to Benazir Bhutto.

President Asif Ali Zardari said in his message that the life and sacrifice of Benazir Bhutto is a bright symbol of the struggle for democracy in Pakistan.

He said that she was the first female Prime Minister of the Islamic world to be elected by the people twice.

In an era when democracy was repeatedly under the influence of dictatorship, she fought an unprecedented struggle for the constitution, parliament and the right to vote of the people.

President Zardari said that Benazir Bhutto always entered politics as the voice of farmers, laborers, the poor classes and the downtrodden.

She wanted to increase employment, education, basic facilities, and social development opportunities for the youth. Her vision was a Pakistan where all citizens, regardless of religion or creed, could live with dignity and security.

He said that Ms. Benazir Bhutto was against sectarianism, hatred, and intolerance and paid the price for her courageous stand against extremism with her life.

Her martyrdom teaches us that terrorism can be fought not only with weapons but also with thinking, education and tolerance.

The President said that Ms. Benazir did not believe in the politics of revenge, and she used to repeatedly say that the real revenge is democracy.

He expressed his determination that the dream of a democratic, inclusive and progressive Pakistan of the martyred Ms. would be carried forward.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Message

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said in his message that the life of the daughter of the East was an unparalleled combination of courage, compassion, and sacrifice.

He said that Ms. Benazir Bhutto’s martyrdom is a pledge written in blood that democracy in Pakistan will never surrender.

Bilawal Bhutto said that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was not just a political leader, but she was the hope of the oppressed, the fearless voice of democracy and an invincible symbol against dictatorship, extremism and intolerance.

As Prime Minister, despite severe difficulties, she adopted people-friendly policies, strengthened national defense, protected sovereignty and restored Pakistan’s progressive identity at the global level.

He said that despite the martyrdom of her father and brothers and prolonged suffering, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto remained steadfast for democracy till the last moment and finally succumbed to martyrdom.

On the occasion of the 18th death anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, PPP Women’s Wing Central President Faryal Talpur visited the shrines of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Begum Nusrat Bhutto at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.

She laid wreaths at the shrines of the martyrs of democracy and offered Fateha. Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar was also present on the occasion.

Similarly, First Lady and Member of the National Assembly Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also reached Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.

She visited the shrines of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Shaheed Mir Murtaza Bhutto and Shaheed Mir Shahnawaz Bhutto, offered flowers, and offered special prayers for the security of the country, public prosperit,y and stability.