LAHORE: It is the 71st birthday of Benazir Bhutto, the first female prime minister of Pakistan and the martyred leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party.
According to Sindh Local Government Minister and PPP leader Saeed Ghani, the main event of the festival was held in Chakiwara area of Lari.
He said the event was organized in Lyari on the orders of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
He added that Bilawal would speak at the event.
Born on 21 June 1953 at the Pinto Orphanage in Karachi, Benazir Bhutto followed in the footsteps of her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and became a prominent figure in national and international politics.
Benazir is highly educated, receiving degrees in political science, economics, and philosophy from Radcliffe College, Harvard University, and Oxford University. His early life was marked by accompanying his father on diplomatic trips and meeting many world leaders.
During his tenure at Oxford University, he emerged as a student leader and bravely fought against the authoritarian regime of General Ziaul Haq.
In 1982, Benazir was elected Chairman of the PPP and after being exiled, he returned to Pakistan triumphantly in 1986 to an unprecedented reception in Lahore.
She married Asif Ali Zardari in 1987.
After winning the 1988 election, Benazir Bhutto became the first female prime minister of Pakistan.
During his tenure there were challenges like the resignation of former President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, but he continued his political struggle. Despite being exiled again, Benazir Bhutto regained the prime ministership in 1993, but was fired again in 1996.
When he returned to Pakistan in October 2007, he was greeted with historic fanfare, but his convoy was attacked in the Karsaz area of Karachi, killing more than 250 people.
Later that year, after a meeting at Liaquat Garden in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007, he received death threats and left a great legacy in global and regional politics.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari paid tribute to Benazir Bhutto on her 71st birthday, describing her as a leader who embodied vision, values and progress.
In a press release from PPP, Bilawal said that June 21 is an important day for national reflection.
“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my mother who was a beacon of hope, perseverance and inspiration. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto promoted Pakistan scientifically, economically and industrially, working tirelessly for tolerance, unity, civil liberties and democracy. She believed in opportunities which is akin to envisioning a Pakistan where prosperity is shared and no one is left behind,” he said.
Bilawal said that despite her hardships and being held in captivity by the dictatorial regime, Benazir Bhutto fought against oppression till her last breath.
Bilawal said that he will continue his fight against injustice and exploitation, aiming for a state of inequality and prosperity.
On this special day, we celebrate your life and reaffirm our commitment to your values. May we always be inspired by your courage and selfless devotion to Pakistan,” said Bilawal.
71st birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto Today
