BEGUM Nusrat Bhutto had rendered unprecedented sacrifices for the cause of democracy and restoration of basic rights in the country. During the last days of first military dictator Gen Ayub Khan, in the late 1960s, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was arrested for leading a movement for restoration of democracy.

Begum Bhutto entered politics to fulfil the gap for the time being.

She had faced big tragedies in her sorrowful life like execution of her great husband ZAB. Later, her younger son Shahnawaz Bhutto was found dead in mysterious conditions in his flat in France during the Zia regime in 1985.

Also her elder son Murtaza Bhutto was brutally killed in Karachi outside their famous house 70 Clifton during the days when Benazir Bhutto was the prime minister. Nonetheless, Ms Bhutto was also assassinated on Dec 27, 2007 in Rawalpindi.

During former military dictator Gen Ziaul Haq’s regime Mrs Bhutto led demonstrations for restoration of democracy at Qadhafi Stadium, Lahore.

She was brutally tortured resulting in severe bleeding from her head and face. Obviously, she received such injuries in the head which with the passage of time proved fatal.

Begum Nusrat Bhutto will be remembered for her struggle and sacrifices for the cause of democracy. Let us salute this great lady who made history through struggle for democracy in the country.

MOHAMMAD KHAN SIAL Karachi