Nation Reflects on Legacy of Visionary Leader Benazir Bhutto, on Anniversary
Sixteen years have passed since the incident that occurred on December 27, 2007, which stole another great leader from Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, the only woman who served as prime minister of Pakistan and she had the honour of the first woman prime minister in the Islamic world.
Benazir’s personality and her smartness in politics were unbeatable and these made her a prominent leader not only for Pakistan but for many foreign leaders as well who still remember her power of decision-making and ability to balance local and international matters.
With deep sorrow and grief her 16th death anniversary is being observed in Pakistan, and prayers and Quran Khawani have been held at her tomb, Gari Khuda Bukhsh of Sindh.
Naheed Khan, personal secretary of Benazir very close to her and Benazir spent her exile day with her. She recalled those days and said that she used to celebrate her birthday in a private gathering; she celebrated her last birthday in Pakistan before exile.
Benazir’s skills in politics were amazing. Her father—the first elected prime minister of Pakistan—termed Benazir his successor.
According to Naheed Khan, she had followed the traditional pattern of motherhood to nurture her children, even though she used to ask about their pocket money and where they served.
She said that Benazir was very friendly with sister Sanam Bhutto loved her niece Fatima and wanted to bring her forward in politics. When Murtaza Bhutto was killed, he ran barefoot and cried hugging his brother’s feet in the hospital.
Regarding the relationship with Asif Zardari, she revealed after the marriage, Zardari stayed in jail for 11 years, when she went into exile and Zardari went to jail, Benazir’s focus was more on political activities. She used to call Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Papa and was very impressed by his personality.
Naheed Khan, recalling the Liaquat Bagh rally on the day of Benazir’s martyrdom, said that when we were sitting on the stage, she was looking forward again and again, then Makhdoom Shahabuddin who was sitting with him. She said: “I was in the back when she called me.”
“She asked if there is anything visible on these trees, I said, Bibi, there is nothing, she laughed and said that she asked the same question to Makhdoom Shb, and his answer was the same.”
Naheed added: “She said when I go to Karachi, reminding me to go to the eye specialist seems to be weakening my eyesight.”
According to Naheed Khan: “She was very happy with the successful gathering, when she congratulated me, my husband Safdar Abbasi was also with us, who complained that Bibi you are congratulating Naheed but not me, so she laughed and said that All credit goes to Naheed, he hugged me and loved me.”
Maintaining her talk after a little discussion she was turning out from her car and asked Safdar for powerful chants. Amid the chanting of the slogan a bullet hit Benazir she fell in my lap inside the car.
