WE pay rich tribute to Benazir Bhutto, the twice elected prime minister of Pakistan and the chairperson of the PPP, whose second death anniversary is being observed today. She had dedicated her life to the service of the nation and never bowed before any anti-democratic power.

As a leader of the downtrodden, she struggled for the rights of the people of all our provinces. Although the assassin(s) cut short her life at a time when people needed her guidance most, one still feels her presence.

Her voice that was heard around the globe on all important forums and was recognised as the voice of the oppressed still rings in our ears. She not only conquered politics but also hearts of the people.

Two years back, Benazir Bhutto had arrived home after eight years in exile. Her memorable return is something that is etched on the minds of the people of Pakistan.

It was a fact that Ms Bhutto was different from the rest of the rulers and politicians of Pakistan that later became the sole reason for which she was killed by those who wanted to perpetuate our national slavery and the backwardness of our people.

Following in the footsteps of her father, Ms Bhutto sacrificed her life for her countrymen. She never got enough time to implement the political philosophy that she had envisioned. To speak about her is to speak about a great period of history.

Apart from leading the country to the path of success, she gave missile technology to Pakistan, Agosta submarine to our Navy; she was the creator of women banks and women police stations.

The women's affairs ministry was formed during her first tenure in 1988; she appointed women judges, as well as thousands of lady health visitors to minimise infant mortality, and started a campaign to make the country polio-free.

On the socio-economic front, Ms Bhutto expanded Port Qasim, Steel Mills and launched the Keti Bunder Project; gave jobs to the unemployed; lifted the ban on student and labour unions and doubled the wages and salaries of the employees; made land reforms and provided lands to the landless; gave freedom to the media; raised for the first time in our history allocations for education and health. Her many achievements included a strong foreign/defence policy.

She believed in a life of honour, dignity, equality, prosperity and power for Pakistan. She believed in reconciliation, in forgiving and forgetting, far from the politics of seeking any revenge. Tolerance was the hallmark of her political, moral and religious ethos.

History will always remember her as the first Muslim woman leader who stood against the tides of dictatorship. Her name remains engraved on the hearts of the downtrodden of Pakistan.

Despite knowing the dangers of Pakistan's political disaster, she dared to take the risk and sacrifice her life for Pakistan. It is now evident that our leader was murdered pursuant to an international conspiracy against Pakistan and its people.

The need of the time is to implement the democratic philosophy of Z.A. Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto to solve the existing problems of Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto is gone but her legacy will continue forever.

HUMERA ALWANI
Sindh MPA
Thatta

(II)

PEOPLE follow and learn many things from their leaders. They become the people's voice - of millions of them. Benazir Bhutto was one of them. After Lady Diana and Mother Teresa, she is regarded as an international icon and a role model for many people.

Two years have passed to her assassination, but she is still in our hearts. Although, there were many threats to her life, she continued to fight the battle against the corrupt in our country with courage. She was not only the Daughter of the East, she was the true mother of the nation, who always treated the nation as her children.

She fought till her last breath to show her iron will and mission to work for humanity.

Mourners still weep inconsolably because such leaders are born rarely. For us she has become immortal.

We must continue her mission with dignity and courage.

May her soul rest in eternal peace

MUNIR MOOSA SEWANI
Karachi

(III)

DECEMBER 27, 2007 brought tears to the eyes of millions when they heard the news of Benazir Bhutto's murder at Rawalpindi. People remember her again today with a heavy heart. Not only her assassination but her whole life was a picture of personal grief and suffering.

It started with the overthrow of the government of her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1977, which led to his going to the gallows in a dubious murder case in 1979. Her sufferings continued till her death.

“No! The scream burst through the knots in my throat, Papa! Papa! I felt cold, so cold in spite of the heat that I could not stop shaking. There was nothing my mother and I could say to console each other,” wrote Benazir of that darkest hour when Z.A. Bhutto was being hanged.

Benazir proved to be the true successor of her father and became the charismatic leader of the people. She had suffered much more in life than her father. It was BB who also brought home the body of her younger brother (Shahnawaz Bhutto) who met a violent death in his prime years.

As if this wasn't enough she suffered another blow on Sept 20, 1996 when her elder brother was killed in broad daylight right outside his childhood home.

With Benazir's murder, the perpetrators of the conspiracy may have succeeded in eliminating her physically, yet her presence as an icon of struggle shall continue to haunt these elements for many generations to come.

BB was the voice of the suppressed and will continue to live in the hearts of people just like her father. Her death saved the country from receding into chaos. It is also a reality that by laying down her life she had provided strength and cohesiveness to the democratic forces in the country which ultimately forced the dictator to leave.

With the investigation of her murder in the hands of the UN, it is hoped that two years after the incident the real perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice.

ABDUL SAMAD CHANNA
Karachi