From prisons to power, Benazir Bhutto’s life remains a lesson in courage

Eighteen Years On, Pakistan Remembers Benazir Bhutto

December 27 returns each year as more than a date on the calendar. It is a day that carries grief, memory, and resolve. On the 18th death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan’s leaders and citizens alike paused to remember a woman whose life became inseparable from the country’s struggle for democracy.

Benazir Bhutto was not just a former prime minister. She was a symbol of resistance, hope, and the belief that power must ultimately belong to the people.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari: “Her Sacrifice Was a Promise to Democracy”

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said December 27 remains a day of collective mourning, reflection, and renewed commitment.

He described his mother’s martyrdom as a “blood-written pledge” that democracy in Pakistan would never be allowed to surrender. Calling her the fearless voice of democracy, Bilawal said Benazir Bhutto gave hope to those who had been silenced and stood firm against dictatorship, extremism, and intolerance.

He recalled that even under immense pressure, she pursued policies meant to uplift ordinary citizens, strengthened national defence, and restored Pakistan’s dignity on the global stage. Her vision of a peaceful and democratic Pakistan, he said, continues to guide women and young people across the country.

Bilawal reaffirmed that the Pakistan Peoples Party would carry forward her mission — fighting for social justice, economic fairness, and the supremacy of the Constitution and Parliament.

President Zardari: A Life Woven Into Democracy

President Asif Ali Zardari said Benazir Bhutto’s life and sacrifice are deeply woven into Pakistan’s democratic story.

“She believed that true accountability lies in democracy,” the president said, adding that her message still brings Pakistanis closer to one another.

He remembered her as the first woman prime minister of the Muslim world, elected twice at a time when democracy was repeatedly derailed and women were discouraged from public life. Yet, she refused to retreat.

President Zardari said Benazir Bhutto spoke for farmers, labourers, minorities, and families who rarely found representation in power corridors. Her opposition to extremism, sectarianism, and hatred, he said, remains one of her strongest legacies.

PM Shehbaz Sharif: A Legacy of Tolerance and Patriotism

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described Benazir Bhutto as one of Pakistan’s greatest daughters, whose struggle for democracy and public rights was unmatched.

He said her belief in tolerance, harmony, and dialogue within politics set a standard that still deserves recognition. Her political journey, he added, reflected deep patriotism and an enduring commitment to strengthening the role of women and protecting minority rights.

The prime minister said her sacrifices continue to light the path toward a more peaceful, progressive, and democratic Pakistan.

Mohsin Naqvi: “The Name of an Era”

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid tribute, calling Benazir Bhutto “the name of an era.”

He said she embodied hope, resilience, and unshakeable faith in the power of the people qualities that ensured her memory would live far beyond her time.