DECEMBER 27 is a black day in the history of the world. On this day in 2007, a most courageous woman and a brilliant and wise politician, Benazir Bhutto was assassinated. She was murdered for demanding justice and a fair deal for the Pakistani people.

Benazir Bhutto was a charismatic figure like Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Rajiv Gandhi. The “judicial murder” of her father, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto left a deep scar on her mind and heart. She decided to follow in his footsteps to fight for the rights of the poor and the downtrodden.

In her autobiography she says, “I didn’t choose this life, it chose me.” She was a woman of great vision and strength who had to face tremendous hardships and difficulties throughout her political career. Never was she allowed to complete her constitutional tenure.

Benazir Bhutto, whom the people affectionately called BB, and for whom she was a ray of hope, resolutely faced all hardships and conspiracies. She stood firm against those who opposed her and bravely faced the terrorism and madness of extremism and emerged exonerated and victorious.

Like Martin Luther King she too had a dream, the dream of a peaceful, prosperous and developed Pakistan. A Pakistan free from poverty and hunger, and educated and enlightened.

Though not in this world, BB will remain forever in the heart and souls of millions with her message, “democracy is the best revenge” and her fight against terrorism will end in victory.

Aamir Aqil
Lahore

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2016