YANGON (Myanmar): President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Award for Democracy on Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday in recognition of her outstanding services for the cause of democracy.

The award was presented to Suu Kyi by Aseefa Bhutto Zardari at a ceremony held at the residence of the Myanmar leader. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and members of the visiting Pakistani delegation attended the ceremony.

President Zardari lauded the services of Suu Kyi for democracy and said she was a source of inspiration for millions around the world.

He said late Benazir Bhutto held Suu Kyi in high esteem and used to call her “a brave inspiration to us all”. “We are honoured that she has accepted the award,” he said, adding that the world was witnessing today the culmination of an amazing journey undertaken by Suu Kyi. “Myanmar is seeing a remarkable transformation largely because of her.”

President Zardari said that during his Tuesday’s meeting with President Thein Sein, he had praised him for the pace and scope of democratisation process and “today I applaud Daw Suu for her role in the success of this process”. He said Pakistan would be a partner and friend of Myanmar as it moved forward in this journey.

The citation read out by Additional Secretary of the Foreign Office Dr Asad M. Khan said: “Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, scion of the legendary Aung San, through her life and work, distinguished herself as an avid student, scholar, researcher, writer, philosopher and social and political worker. Her life and work was indeed a testimony of her great innate human qualities, qualifying her as an outstanding leader and a veritable icon of nobility.

“Daw Aung San Suu Kyi symbolises humility, courage and selfless pursuit of the noble ideals of equality, human dignity and justice, encapsulated in her life-long struggle for democracy.

“Despite long years of hardship and incarceration, the brilliance of her heart and spirit shines with ever more radiance, promising hope and success for her people and humanity at large. Like Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, Aung San Suu Kyi was held in the highest esteem and respect as one who ardently espoused and struggled for democracy and human rights fearlessly and, by non-violent means, stood for and worked the transformation that touches each heart and soul.”

Before the ceremony, President Zardari, along with his son Bilawal and daughter Aseefa and senior officials, held a meeting with Suu Kyi. Mr Zardari was received by Ms Suu Kyi who said he was the first president to visit her.

Also on Wednesday, President Zardari visited the mausoleum of last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, laid floral wreath and offered fateha.

The president wrote in the visitors’ book: “I pay my tribute to Bahadur Shah Zafar who saw the sunset on a majestic era, but never lost patience, never abandoned grace and never ceased being a mystic poet.”

The president presented a cheque for $50,000 to the administrator of the mausoleum for taking care of the historical site.—APP

Our reporter adds: President Asif Ali Zardari returned to Karachi on Wednesday after a two-day visit to Myanmar where he held talks with its leadership on boosting cooperation in trade, commerce and other fields.

He also discussed exchange of visits by businessmen.