The 71st birth anniversary of Pakistan Peoples Party’s martyred chairperson and former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, is being celebrated today. She was tragically assassinated in a suicide attack following a rally in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007.
Benazir Bhutto, more than just twice serving as Prime Minister, was a prominent and unique figure in both global and national politics, much like her father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
Born on June 21, 1953, in Karachi, she received her higher education from Radcliffe College and Harvard University, later earning degrees in Politics, Economics, and Philosophy from Oxford University.
Her political journey began amidst severe and painful circumstances. Following the overthrow of her father’s government and the imposition of martial law, it became impossible for her to remain in Pakistan. Despite these challenges, the brave daughter of Bhutto continued her democratic struggle from abroad. Upon her return to Pakistan in April 1986, she was met with an unprecedented welcome.
In the 1988 elections, after the Pakistan Peoples Party’s victory, Benazir Bhutto became the first female Prime Minister of a Muslim country. However, her government was dismissed after just eighteen months.
Elected Prime Minister again in November 1993, her second term was also cut short in 1996 by a president nominated by her own party.
Following alleged retaliatory actions, Benazir Bhutto went into self-imposed exile. In 2007, she announced her return to Pakistan, and despite threats to her life, she arrived in Karachi on October 18, 2007.
On December 27, 2007, after a rally at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi, she was fatally attacked. The beloved leader, who held a significant place in global and regional politics, was forever separated from her people.
