LEADERS need to be appreciated; especially those who offered even their lives for a just cause.

But as Zubeida Mustafa has validly raised a question in her article, 'A memorial to Benazir' (Jan 7) Can it only be a brick and mortar monument to honour a leader like Ms Benazir Bhutto who gave her life to bring change in society?

The government has planned to build the memorial at a cost of Rs1bn at the Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi, the site where two years back Ms Bhutto was assassinated in broad daylight.

Looking at the enormous quantum of money set apart, various sections have already started criticising the project even before work has started on it. In my opinion, disapproval is quite justified in view of the worst economic conditions the country is passing through.

I, therefore, find Ms Mustafa's recommendations quite justified when she says that better ways of paying tribute to her will be to use these funds on a project which Ms Bhutto, had she lived, would have loved to implement.

Being a very caring and loving mother, her concern for children was proverbial. Thus, if the funds spared for monuments are utilised for launching a programme in her name for the uplift of the state of children's health in the country, she will be honoured more befittingly.

I hope Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Ms Bakhtawar and Ms Asifa, the progeny of that great lady, remember well how she nursed them while she remained under ruthless and incessant persecution and their father incarcerated in jail.

It is they who have to choose which tribute will be befitting for a courageous and intellectual leader like Benazir Bhutto.

It is ridiculous to build a mausoleum of brick and mortar at a cost of Rs1bn when the downtrodden, whose wellbeing Ms Bhutto always fought for, are living below the poverty line and 78 out of every 1,000 children are dying before reaching the age of one for lack of adequate funds.

It would be much more sensible and far better to launch some grand programme for the healthcare of our children.

SHAFIQUE ANSARI
Duba