Benazir Bhutto Shaheed who was the first woman Prime Minister of the Muslim world and a two-time premier of Pakistan, was remembered with profound respect, emotion and admiration across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the nation observed her 18th martyrdom anniversary.
Political leaders, academics, civil society members and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) workers paid rich tributes to her unparalleled services for democracy, peace and political empowerment of the masses.
Recalling her legacy, Malik Azmat Khan, former Minister of State and senior PPP leader, said that the sweet memories of the charismatic leader remain deeply etched in the hearts and minds of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Benazir Bhutto Shaheed is remembered as a true champion of democracy, a role model for women and youth, and a harbinger of peace who stood unwaveringly against dictatorship,” he told APP.
BB Shaheed was a strong voice of democracy and peace and could not be silenced, he reiterated. She lived for people and died for them.
Across the province, PPP workers, lawyers, human rights activists and members of civil society marked the day with collective prayers, Quran Khwani and condolence references in all districts.
Speakers highlighted her democratic struggle, political foresight and supreme sacrifices for the nation, terming her martyrdom an irreparable loss for Pakistan.
On December 27, 2007, Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a deadly gun and suicide bomb attack after addressing a massive election rally at the historic Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi.
The tragedy plunged the entire nation into deep shock and mourning. At the age of 54, Benazir Bhutto became one of the few global leaders to embrace martyrdom while standing amidst a sea of supporters, immortalising her forever in the political history of Pakistan.
A leader of rare intellect, courage and compassion, Benazir Bhutto voluntarily gave up a life of comfort and returned to Pakistan from a long exile on October 18, 2007. Her mission was to rid the country of dictatorship and steer it back onto the path of democracy, peace and development.
“Despite grave threats to her life, the daughter of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto followed the proud tradition of her illustrious family. She did not retreat in the face of danger but stood firm against pessimism and dictatorial forces,” Malik Azmat said.
Her historic return was welcomed by hundreds of thousands of supporters who thronged Karachi from across the country. However, even the deadly Karsaz bombing, which claimed around 140 lives and injured over 450 people, failed to deter her resolve.
“She firmly believed that democracy was the only solution to terrorism, economic instability and the suffering of ordinary people,” he added.
“Death held no meaning for Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. She lived for the people and died among them while striving for their socioeconomic emancipation,” Malik Azmat remarked.
Echoing similar sentiments, PPP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha said, “BB Shaheed lived for the people and laid down her life for them.”
He said that as an international leader, Benazir Bhutto always kept the welfare of Pakistan’s millions at the forefront and openly condemned terrorism that ultimately cost her life.
He said she was martyred while struggling to restore genuine democracy, promote peace and bridge the divide between Muslim countries and the West.
“Imperialist and inimical forces removed her from the political scene in an attempt to destabilise Pakistan and keep its people backward,” he asserted.
Bacha further said that Benazir Bhutto had deep love for Islam and great respect for eastern values and culture.
“Despite her education from top Western institutions and her stature as a two-time prime minister, she upheld Islamic teachings and eastern traditions,” he said, adding that her traditional white headscarf symbolised her identity as the ‘Daughter of the East.’
Even her political opponents, he noted, acknowledged that Pakistan had never produced leaders who could match the Bhuttos’ political acumen and democratic struggle.
Hamza Khan, President of PML-N Nowshera, said Benazir Bhutto’s thinking was democratic and progressive. “She kept the torch of democracy alive by sacrificing her life at Liaquat Bagh,” he remarked.
Professor Abdul Rauf, Chairman of the Political Science Department at the University of Peshawar, termed her assassination a colossal national tragedy. “She was not just a political leader; she was the identity of Pakistan. Her martyrdom saddened progressive and democratic forces across the world,” he said.
He warned that political wrangling only strengthens anti-democratic forces, citing Pakistan’s troubled parliamentary history, including the assassinations of Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan in 1951 and Benazir Bhutto in 2007 both at Liaquat Bagh. He said that Shaheed-e-Jamhooriat considered Khyber Pakhtunkhwa her second home and had immense love for the Pashtun people, who suffered greatly during the war on terror. He recalled her historic address in Peshawar on December 1, 2007, where she appealed to Pashtuns to reject violence and extremism and support peace and democracy.
Benazir Bhutto was also instrumental in advocating provincial autonomy, renaming NWFP as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and promoting regional trade on the pattern of the European Union – goals later materialised under a PPP-led government.
PPP leaders said Pashtuns strongly believe that her martyrdom was part of a well-planned conspiracy to keep their region backward and deprived.
“Had she been alive, the destiny of the Pashtun nation would have been different,” Bacha said, adding that she was committed to fulfilling the vision of her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who had deep ties with the Pashtun people.
Benazir Bhutto’s martyrdom, he said, weakened dictatorship and paved the way for the restoration of democracy.