ONE act of terrorism after another is taking place in the country. Recently a horrific and inhumane incident occurred at the Army Public School, Peshawar. Thus the terrorist attack on Dec 27, 2007, claimed the life of our twice elected and first Muslim woman prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

She was killed by those who wanted to perpetuate national slavery and backwardness.

Seven years back, Ms Bhutto had returned home after eight years of exile and said: “I feel very, very emotional coming back to my country. I have dreamt of this day for so many months and years. I counted the hours; I counted the minutes and the seconds just to see this land, to see the grass, to see the sky”.

She sacrificed her life for her countrymen. She achieved many milestones, gave the missile technology to Pakistan and Agosta submarine to our Navy. She was the creator of women’s bank and women’s police stations. The women’s affairs ministry was formed during her first tenure in 1988.

She also had a campaign initiated to make the country polio-free.

She lifted the ban on labour and student unions and increased wages and salaries.

Her many achievements included a strong foreign cum-defence policy. She believed in politics of reconciliation, in forgiving and forgetting. She always emphasised: “Democracy is the best revenge”.

On the eve of her 7th death anniversary we pay rich tribute to her for sacrificing her life for the cause of democracy.

Humera Alwani

Thatta

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2014