Former PM Benazir Bhutto’s 68th birthday is being celebrated today

Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto’s (1953-2007) was the first democratically elected female leader of a Muslim country during a tumultuous life that ended with her assassination.

The 68th birthday of the first woman Prime Minister(PM)of the Muslim world, Benazir Bhutto’s, is being celebrated today (Monday).

Several events will be held for the the celebration in different cities, including Karachi.

PPP Chairperson and the former PM’s son Bilawal Bhutto will cut a birthday cake for Benazir in the Sindh Assembly today.

On the occasion of the 68th birth anniversary of his late mother and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the legacy of his late mother’s arduous struggle for the restoration of democracy still informed the struggle of common man.

In a statement, the PPP chairman said that as governance in the country is currently marred by dismal performance, institutions remain in shambles and the people are left at the mercy of ruthless rulers, “it was natural for every patriot to miss the Daughter of the East”.

“Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto is the name of a movement, and it is the people’s movement that carries the potential to create and produce new eras in history”.

He said that as a political leader, the late Benazir Bhutto fostered democratic thinking at the grassroots level and evolved a harmonious atmosphere for the supremacy of the Constitution and Parliament. She ensured the access to basic rights such as education, health and employment opportunities for the underprivileged segment of the society, the chairman noted.

Bilawal recalled that Benazir – the first prime minister of the Muslim world – introduced legislations and game changer programs for the welfare of women, children, minorities, and workers.

“Whether in government or in opposition, she always strived to give hope to the people,” Bilawal said.

The chairman said humanity will always be ashamed of the atrocities committed against Benazir Bhutto by anti-people forces.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, in a video message on Benazir Bhutto’s birthday on Twitter, said that she restored democracy in the country by sacrificing her life.

The Sindh CM said that Benazir had started vaccinating children in Pakistan’s campaign against polio herself, urging people to get vaccinated against coronavirus to pay homage to the former PM.

Poets from Pakistan, India, Europe, USA, Canada, Middle East and other countries paid homage to Benazir at an event titled ‘Dukhtar-e-Mashriq Ka Jashn-e-Benazir (Celebration of the Daughter of the East Benazir)’ in Brussels.

It was hosted by the PPP-International Conferences and Seminars Forum, PPP Gulf Middle East and Bazm-e-Naz International.

The mushaira was presided over by renowned poet and playwright Tanveer Anjum. The chief guest was human rights scholar Anis Haroon and it was moderated by Dubai-based poet and host Ayesha Sheikh Aashi.

Other prominent poets who participated included human rights activist Attiya Daud, Tasneem Abidi from Houston, USA, Dr Sarwat Zahra from Dubai, Tasneem Jowhar from Hyderabad Deccan, India, Dr Ishrat Mooin Seema from Berlin, Germany, Dr Hina Ambereen Tariq from Canada, Hina Abbas from Aligarh, India, Kulsoom Zaib and Ashbar Jadoon from Peshawar, Samia Naz Malik from Faisalabad and others.

This was reportedly the first all-women global online mushaira.

The poets said Benazir was a role model for women. She is a martyr and will remain in our hearts forever, they said.