Karachi: Sindh will observe a public holiday tomorrow to commemorate the death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan’s first female prime minister. Political parties and supporters across the province plan to hold memorial events to honor her legacy.
Assassination and Aftermath
Benazir Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007, in Rawalpindi after a suicide bomber attacked her convoy following an election rally. The attack, carried out by a 15-year-old linked to the Pakistan Tehreek e Taliban, killed Bhutto and dozens of her supporters, igniting widespread protests and civil unrest nationwide. Investigations implicated several conspirators, though court proceedings have stalled amid procedural issues.
Political Career and Struggles
Benazir Bhutto first took office in 1988 at age 35, becoming the youngest and first female leader of a Muslim-majority country. She led the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) after years of military rule under Gen. Zia-ul-Haq. Her tenure faced repeated challenges from political rivals and the military, resulting in the dismissal of her governments in 1990 and 1996 over corruption allegations. Despite periods of self-imposed exile, she returned in 2007 to contest elections and continue her fight for democratic governance.
Legacy
Born in 1953 in Karachi, Benazir was the eldest daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pakistan’s first democratically elected prime minister. After completing her studies at Harvard and Oxford, she rose to prominence following her father’s execution and consequently became a symbol of resilience and political courage. Moreover, her daughter, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, marked her memory on social media, recalling her historic achievement as the Muslim world’s first female prime minister. Benazir Bhutto’s political vision and leadership continue to influence Pakistani politics decades after her death.
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