Nusrat Bhutto: The embodiment of commitment

Political allies and foes come together to condole the gracious lady’s demise.

ISLAMABAD: Begum Nusrat Bhutto, the mother who outlived the tragic deaths of three of her four children, was a maternal figure for many.

Political allies and foes came together to condole the death of the inimitable woman who continued her husband’s struggle.

“Begum Bhutto was a great lady. Despite facing torture, her resolution to spearhead the party did not shake for a single moment,” said senior PPP leader Naheed Khan.

In Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s death, she said, PPP workers had lost a father. “In her’s, they have lost a mother because the legacy of Bhutto revolves around her.”

“Her strong personality as a leader, a mother and wife remains a motivating force and a source of strength not only for her family but also for the entire nation,” said National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Information Secretary Senator Mushahidullah Khan expressed grief as he condoled with the only surviving child Sanam Bhutto, Murtaza’s son Zulfiqar Ali Junior and other members of the bereaved family. “She had faced many hardships in her life including the long illness that she had suffered.” he said.

“Begum Nusrat Bhutto is the symbol of commitment as she remained by her husband’s side during the most enduring times and faced his killing with courage,” said Senator SM Zafar of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid.

Senator Haji Muhammad Adeel of the Awami National Party termed her demise a great loss to democracy while Haider Abbas Rizvi of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement remembered her as a lady who struggled throughout her life, even when her own companions abandoned her.

Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) Imran Khan also expressed grief over her death as he remembered her services for the cause of democracy in the country. All Pakistan Muslim League Chief and former president Pervez Musharraf expressed sorrow, in a message released by the APML central secretariat.

“It is the end of an era,” said Senator Professor Khursheed Ahmed of Jamaat-i-Islami, while condoling with the bereaving family. Paying a tribute to her lifelong struggle, he said she will always be remembered.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2011.