KARACHI: Karachi University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi has paid rich tributes to slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on her 13th death anniversary saying she sacrificed her life to empower democracy in the country.

He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony held to pay tribute to Benazir Bhutto at the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Chair (SMBBC) at KU. He said that the whole world acknowledged her role and her late father former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

“Benazir Bhutto was a great visionary leader, who was an inspiring beacon not only for Pakistan, but also for women all over the world,” he said, adding: “We can promote her vision by conducting research on different aspects of her life particularly her political career.”

He said the KU had established the Benazir Bhutto chair on the campus to share her vision through research on her life and political struggle.

SMBBC director Prof Dr Nasreen Aslam Shah said that there might be a few people who were against her political struggle and wisdom but the number of her followers was much more than them.

Meanwhile, in-charge Peoples Secretariat Sindh Farid Ansari said on the occasion that the assassination of Benazir Bhutto was a global conspiracy.

He mentioned that she always wanted to empower women in the country. “The First Women’s Bank and Women’s police stations are just a few projects to name she introduced in Pakistan for females,” he said.

He informed the audience that the whole world appreciated her political and social reforms.

Karachi University Teachers Association president Prof Dr Shah Ali Ul Qadar, Syndicate member Prof Dr S M Taha, Prof Dr Intikhab Ulfat and others were also present.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2020