On June 21, 1953, a baby girl was born to a famous political leader Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Nusrat Isfahani at the Pintoz Nursing Home in Karachi. When the father named her newborn daughter “Benazir” Bhutto, little did he know that he was naming one of the strongest women in the history of Pakistan.
Contrary to his family tradition, Bhutto sent Benazir to study in the best institutions in the world. At the same time, he continued grooming her because he wanted his Pinky to be Benazir (Matchless) in every respect.
When 15-year-old Benazir Bhutto passed the O-Levels examination with distinction, she was sent to Harvard University, the USA for an undergraduate degree in political science in April 1969. She became the social secretary of her hostel and Elite House at Harvard.
Just like her father, Benazir also was active in the campaign against US involvement in the Vietnam War. In 1971, while still a student at Harvard, Benazir made her first political appearance with Zulfiqar Bhutto to represent Pakistan at a UN Security Council meeting.
After the overthrow of his father’s government and Zia’s martial law, Benazir Bhutto stepped into politics and her struggle and sacrifices came to fruition. When elections were held in 1988, she became the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan and the youngest in the entire world.
Under a conspiracy, her government was overthrown in 1990 and cases were filed against Benazir and her family. Benazir Bhutto was re-elected Prime Minister in 1993 her rule was overthrown once again.
After spending years in exile, Benazir Bhutto returned home on October 18, 2007. As soon as she reached Pakistan, an attempt on her life was made in which 140 party workers were martyred. Benazir Bhutto, however, survived and continued addressing public rallies even after the attack.
Her enemies were surprised at her resilience and unshakeable courage. When it became clear that she couldn’t be scared or bribed, they decided to take her life. The second attack on Benazir Bhutto took place in Liaquat Bagh Rawalpindi. Unfortunately, this one Benazir didn’t survive and was martyred on the evening of December 27, 2007.
Benazir Bhutto was a great and ideal leader not only of Pakistan but also of the world. She fought valiantly for what she believed in; democracy. Benazir was a historical figure and a movement in her own right. She truly lived up to both her birth name “Benazir” as well as her well-deserved title “the daughter of East.”
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