June 23, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-us-Sani 18, 1429

NEW DELHI, June 22: Former Indian prime minister I.K. Gujral has said that the late Benazir Bhutto was a champion of Pakistan-India friendship.

He was speaking at a function held here to observe the birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, a rare event in India.

The event was organised by the Delhi Peace Summit in cooperation with the World Punjabi Conference. Fakhar Zaman was the guest of honour from Pakistan on the occasion.

Mr Gujral said that the work of personalities who made efforts for friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and India would soon be recognised.

Describing his long association with Ms Bhutto, he said: “We used to meet one or two times a year at world functions. I found her a sincere lady who wanted to develop friendship between Pakistan and India.”

The former Indian premier said he received a letter of greetings from Ms Bhutto on the day she was assassinated. In her death South Asia lost a great leader, he added.

Fakhar Zaman, chief of the World Punjabi Congress, said Ms Bhutto was a mythical personality who had the ability to change the course of history.

In Pakistan, he said, the entire politics revolved around the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Benazir Bhutto.

She was a visionary who wanted to guide Pakistan out of the malaise of terrorism, he said. She wanted to see equality, tolerance and dialogue in Pakistan.

She was a strong believer in democracy and laid down her life to achieve this goal.

Pakistan’s deputy high commissioner in India said Ms Bhutto was a great politician and wanted friendship between Pakistan and India.

Mr Afrasiab said when Ms Bhutto was assassinated the Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, I.K. Gujral, L.K. Advani and many other personalities visited the Pakistan High Commission to condole her death. Pakistan appreciated this gesture.—APP