PESHAWAR, June 20 The 57th birth anniversary of late Benazir Bhutto would be celebrated with great reverence and solemnity in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Fata on Monday.

“We have chalked put comprehensive programmes to celebrate her 57th birthday by donating blood to pay respect to the champion of democracy,” Senior Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rahimdad Khan told APP here on Sunday.

He said that all the major and local hospitals in the province and agency headquarters hospital in Fata would organise camps where ministers, MNAs, MPAs, PPP district presidents and office-bearers, members of Peoples Lawyers, Women and Youth Forums, will participate in the blood donation campaign.

He said that late Benazir Bhutto was one of the very few international stature personalities, who embraced martyrdom while being surrounded by supporters outside Liaqat Bagh and became immortalised but never bowed to the imperialistic forces.

“The twice elected and first Muslim woman prime minister of Pakistan left a luxurious life abroad and came to Pakistan after exile on October 18, 2007, with an aim to rid the country of dictatorial forces and put it on road to development and democracy.

Despite severe threats to her life, the daughter of one of Pakistan's most charismatic politician and former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, followed the rich tradition of her illustrious family and did not flee danger, but instead immortalised herself by not bowing to imperialist and dictatorial forces.”

Rahimdad Khan said “Death was meaningless for Benazir Bhutto as she came to Pakistan for the socio-economic emancipation of the underprivileged and revival of genuine democracy in the country despite severe threats to her life,” he said, adding that Benazir lived for the people and died for them.

The veteran PPP leader said that the late leader always thought about the welfare of 170 million Pakistanis and was an identity of the country for being an international leader and symbol of federation.

He said that though Benazir Bhutto was not among us today; however, her guiding principles, matchless thoughts and vision were a great source of inspiration for the government, people and future generations to make the country a dynamic, progressive and a vibrant Muslim democratic state. —APP