THE death of Benazir Bhutto was mourned by the international community just as was the case nationally. Former secretary-general of the United Nations Kofi Annan remembered her as “an exceptional woman who stood for justice and the rights of the people”.

Bill Clinton, the former president of the United States, called her “an extraordinary woman, a visionary leader who changed the course of her country’s history and who, with grace and courage, overcame unimaginable hardship to continue her fight for democracy and the welfare of the Pakistani people”.

Even Pervez Musharraf, a political adversary, could not deny the profound impact she had on Pakistan’s political landscape. In his words, her death was “a tragedy for Pakistan” and that she was “undeniably a significant figure in our political history”.

One can either appreciate her politics or criticise it, but the fact that she was a popular and influential woman leader globally is undeniable. Undoubtedly, it was her courage that influenced many to resist against military dictatorships.

Hussain Aaquib Rajpar
Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2024