In remembrance: Speakers pay respects to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto

The Express Tribune

The Shah Abdul Latif University’s (SALU) sociology department, in collaboration with the Sindh Children Academy, Khairpur, organised a seminar, ‘Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in Perspective of Democracy’, at its Khairpur campus on Tuesday.

In her presidential address, SALU’s vice-chancellor Prof Dr Parveen Shah reminisced that the late Benazir Bhutto had a versatile personality and will always be remembered for her services for the security, sovereignty and political independence of the country.

Dr Shah stressed that she was the champion of democracy and human rights. Her struggle for democracy and the establishment of rule of law could only be paralleled to her efforts for the enlightenment of society and shaping Pakistan into a welfare state. Dr Shah reminded the audience that Benazir refused to compromise with the dictators even after she was put in jail. Her role in the UN for the uplift of Islamic countries and her efforts for the elimination of terrorism, militancy and illiteracy were most commendable, said Shah.

The Dean of the faculty of social sciences and arts, Dr Syed Ahmed Hussain Shah, who was also the chief guest at the occasion, said that the nation does not forget its heroes and that Benazir would always be remembered and venerated by all. He was of the opinion that Pakistan had proved it was a liberal nation by electing Benazir as prime minister for two terms. He added that her assassination was turned into a conspiracy theory but she would be remembered as one of the greatest political leaders of all time.

Eminent scholar and historian, Abdul Ghaffar Siddiqui, said that the agenda followed by Benazir Bhutto was based on truth, sacrifice and universal peace. He reminded the audience that she was alive in spirit as martyrs did not die. Siddiqui recalled the various programmes introduced by the late leader for the cause of women empowerment, including the Lady Health Worker Programme, the First Women Bank, women police stations and vocational training programmes.

Faculty of Natural Sciences dean, Prof Dr Yasmeen Faiz Kazi said that Benazir struggled to enforce a culture of merit in the country.

Yasmeen Abro, a senior politician affiliated with the Pakistan Peoples Party, said that the love and affection for Benazir was preserved in the hearts of the over 180 million people of Pakistan.