The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has called for the upholding of constitutional supremacy on the occasion of the 73rd birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The anniversary is being observed modestly nationwide in respect of the Islamic month of Muharram.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari led tributes to his mother, reaffirming the party’s commitment to her core principles of empowering the public, promoting federalism, and defending marginalized communities. He highlighted that her lifelong fight against authoritarianism remains a guiding framework for Pakistan’s democratic development.
In a significant development, Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani praised Benazir Bhutto as a shining symbol of democracy, constitutional supremacy, and public rights. He noted her historic struggle for democratic stability and public service, emphasizing that her life and martyrdom embodied deep Islamic and democratic ideals. Gilani urged the country’s legislative and executive branches to continue advancing her vision to ensure public welfare and institutional cohesion.
Provincial ministers in Sindh also commemorated Benazir Bhutto’s pioneering role as the first female prime minister in the Muslim world. PPP Parliamentarians spokesperson Shazia Marri remarked that Bhutto’s refusal to submit to dictatorships ultimately cost her life but paved the way for restoring a federal Pakistan. She described Bhutto’s political journey as an enduring beacon guiding Pakistan towards a dignified global standing.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon detailed the significant reforms implemented during Benazir Bhutto’s terms, focusing on women, peasants, and the working class. He credited her with founding landmark institutions such as the First Women Bank and women-led police stations. Memon also highlighted the introduction of the Lady Health Workers programme, which revolutionized rural healthcare across the country.
Both Memon and Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah acknowledged that while PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto secured Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent, Benazir Bhutto advanced national defense by introducing sophisticated missile technology. Memon stated that the combination of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s nuclear vision and Benazir’s missile initiatives has made Pakistan’s defense capabilities permanently robust.
Furthermore, Sindh Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah emphasized Benazir Bhutto’s international stature, noting how she projected Pakistan’s progressive and peaceful cultural identity globally. He described her approach to reconciliatory politics and diplomatic negotiation as influential enough to be included in international political studies, portraying her as a lasting advocate for oppressed populations worldwide.
Finally, Sindh Government spokesperson Sadia Javed affirmed that the current provincial administration remains dedicated to implementing welfare policies aligned with Benazir Bhutto’s vision, particularly in safeguarding fundamental labor and peasant rights.
