Nation Remembers Benazir Bhutto on 18th Death Anniversary

GARHI KHUDA BAKSH: A large number of people have gathered at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh today to mark the 18th death anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders and workers from across the country are attending the commemorative event, where floral wreaths are being laid, prayers are being offered, and tributes are being paid to her life and sacrifices.

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007, in a gun-and-suicide attack while addressing an election rally at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi. She served as Pakistan’s first female prime minister from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996, becoming the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority country through democratic elections. Her political legacy continues to inspire democratic and progressive movements in Pakistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived in Naudero on Saturday morning, where they were received by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. Both leaders are scheduled to address a large public gathering at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, and other senior leaders have also reached the venue. Around 10,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure strict security.

In a message on the occasion, President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed his commitment to carrying forward Benazir Bhutto’s vision of a democratic, inclusive, tolerant, and forward-looking Pakistan. He said the nation remembers her as a leader whose life and martyrdom are inseparable from Pakistan’s democratic struggle.

The president highlighted that Benazir Bhutto stood firm for constitutional supremacy, parliamentary authority, and the people’s right to choose their representatives, despite facing dictatorship, political exclusion, and extremism. He said her repeated return to electoral politics reflected her unwavering belief in democracy and peaceful political struggle.

President Zardari said Benazir Bhutto gave voice to marginalized communities, including farmers, workers, and low-income families, and focused her politics on improving livelihoods, education, and social mobility, particularly for youth. He added that she strongly believed in an inclusive Pakistan, rejected sectarianism and intolerance, and consistently advocated for minority rights.

Read more:Benazir Bhutto: A Shining Symbol of Democracy, Courage, and Sacrifice

He also noted her efforts to modernize Pakistan’s economy in the 1990s by encouraging investment and improving communications, which laid the foundation for future economic growth. Her resistance to extremism, he said, remains one of her most powerful legacies, and her martyrdom serves as a reminder that combating terrorism requires education, tolerance, and respect for diversity.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also paid glowing tribute to his mother, describing her life as a powerful blend of courage and compassion. He said her sacrifice was a solemn pledge that democracy in Pakistan would never be defeated.

Bilawal said December 27 is a day of collective mourning and renewed resolve. He called Benazir Bhutto a fearless symbol of resistance against dictatorship, extremism, and intolerance, and said her vision of a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive Pakistan continues to inspire women and youth.

Recalling her immense personal sacrifices, Bilawal said that despite losing her father and brothers and enduring years of persecution, she remained steadfast in her struggle for democracy until her martyrdom. He reaffirmed that the PPP remains committed to her mission of social justice, constitutional supremacy, women’s empowerment, and the protection of minority rights.