Today in History: Benazir Bhutto becomes first woman PM in Muslim world

Benazir sworn is as the youngest PM of the world on December 2, 1988

KARACHI: On this day in 1988, Benazir Bhutto was sworn in as Prime Minister of Pakistan, becoming the first woman to head the government of a Muslim-majority state.

Known as a torch bearer of democracy, Benazir was a social democrat and at the age of 29, she became the chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). She was also democratically elected in the 1988 elections to lead the country; sworn in as the youngest PM of the world on December 2, 1988.



Bilawal Bhutto Zardari shared a tweet to mark the momentous occasion saying:

2 December 1988: #PPP elected the worlds youngest PM & the Muslim worlds first female PM. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was sworn into office for the first time. #50YearsOfPPP #WeMakeHistory #UmeedSayYaqeenTak pic.twitter.com/PnIeiJWubd

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) December 2, 2017

While speaking to The Express Tribune, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, daughter of Benzair said, "As a daughter I am proud of my mother for her extraordinary accomplishment, the first female PM of Pakistan. The trials and hardships she faced to fight for democracy and individuals rights led her to become the people’s PM.

As a woman I am extremely proud as she not only inspired me but an entire generation of women around the world. An inspiration which continues to this today. As a Muslim, I am proud to have had a mother who was elected in a position of leadership in the Muslim world, a symbol of the progressiveness of our faith. Today all I want to do is share moments like this with my mother, my heart chants for her “Wazir-E-Azam Benazir”"



Known for her charismatic personality, the leader attended Harvard University and the Oxford University and is widely recognised as a champion of women's rights. She earned the title of the 'Iron Lady' by India due to her hard-line approach towards respective policies.

She stayed in exile for nine years and on her return on 18th October 2007 all charges against her were dropped. The leader was assassinated on December 27, 2007.