Benazir’s 67th birthday observed with simplicity

Party leaders say they will uphold former prime minister’s vision

RAWALPINDI: Workers and supporters of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in Rawalpindi on Sunday celebrated the 67th birthday of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on Sunday with simplicity.

Owing to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, no political gathering was held.

Instead, local PPP leaders paid rich tribute to the former premier who was assassinated in the city nearly 13 years ago while addressing a public rally at Liaquat Bagh.

Talking to APP, PPP Rawalpindi President Babar Khan Jadoon said that Benazir remains alive in their hearts today and that she will never die. He added that her services, rendered for the promotion of democracy, will always be remembered.

“Benazir Bhutto was a politician with international stature,” Jadoon said, adding that she took the country towards progress and prosperity.

Noting that she gave her life for the promotion of democracy in the country, Jadoon pledged to continue her mission.

Tribute paid in Attock

Former state minister for defence Sardar Saleem Khan on Sunday paid tribute to Benazir.

In a statement, Saleem noted that the country needs the vision of the twice former premier to pull it out of its current political and economic crises apart from the extraordinary internal and external challenges in the backdrop of Covid-19, locust attacks, inflation, unemployment, and a nose-diving economy.

He added that Benazir continued her struggle despite the loss of her father and two brothers whilst fighting against two brutal dictators finally defeating them through peaceful, political agitation.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2020.