RAWALPINDI: On the 68th anniversary of Benazir Bhutto’s birthday, Pakistanis on Monday shared some of her famous and less known photos and video clips to celebrate the first woman democratically elected to lead a Muslim country.
Born on June 21, 1953, Benazir was the first child of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who as she grew up rose in power, from a post in Pakistan’s United Nations delegation to prime minister. When her father was overthrown in a military coup and hanged in 1979, Benazir was soon given leadership of his Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). As an opposition leader, she spent half her time in prison or under house arrest.
In 1988, she became Pakistan’s prime minister and the first woman elected as leader of a Muslim state.
Having spent three decades navigating the turbulent and often violent world of Pakistani politics, she was assassinated on Dec. 27, 2007, just days before general elections, which PPP was expected to win.
On the day of her birthday, Benazir’s son and political successor, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, shared photographs showing him together with his mother and her being welcomed by the people.
Waqt kay guzarnay say
Tum jo bhool jao gay
Hum tumhain batayain gay
Benazir kaisi thiZindagi kay maathay per
Aik lakeer jaisi thiZulm kay nishanay per
Aik teer jaisi thiBenazir Bhutto bus
Benazir jaisi thi #HappyBirthdaySMBB pic.twitter.com/lxTRUXCvxl— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 21, 2021
With a video clip, Twitterati @Anaya Khan showed exactly how supporters reacted to Benazir and shared a famous quote reflecting Bhutto’s sentiment: “’It seemed to me as I looked out and saw a sea of humanity that the fight for the truth is important because the day does come when you see the response to your struggle.”
“It seemed to me as I looked out and saw a sea of humanity that the fight for the truth is important because the day does come when you see the response to your struggle.“ - Benazir Bhutto
Happy Birthday BB ♥️ A giant among us mere mortals. Sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/bLfkCKxmlX
— Anaya Khan (@AnayaNKhan) June 21, 2021
Twitter user @babar_inam shared a clip showing Benazir’s childhood and early days in politics.
Happy birthday #SMBB
We will never forget your struggles, Sacrifices, Shaheed Rani Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.#SalamBenazir @ShahNafisa pic.twitter.com/KYBW6i0IQY— Babar Inam Siming (@babar_inam) June 21, 2021
In a post with a famous portrait of Benazir in a white shawl, PPP politician Sohail Anwar Siyal wrote “Happy birthday to the daughter of East.”
“Though her life remained in turmoil from a younger age, yet she lived with matchless grace and integrity.”
Happy Birthday to the Daughter of East.
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto remains the Symbol of Democracy and Human Rights.
Though her life remained in turmoil from a younger age, yet she lived with matchless grace and integrity.
She was & She is BENAZIR.#SalamBenazir pic.twitter.com/melEm3gRkZ— Sohail Anwar Siyal (@siyal_anwar) June 20, 2021
Fiza Batool Gilani, daughter of former prime minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, tweeted a photo Benazir in what would become her most recognizable look.
Happy Birthday Moharram Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.
You will forever be missed. You shall live on in our hearts#HappyBirthdaySMBB pic.twitter.com/EmH9nTJWgf— Fiza Batool Gilani (@Fiza_Gilani) June 21, 2021
An archival black and white shot was shared by Twitter user @Kasim Gillani, showing young Benazir meeting women constituents.
Happy Birthday Shaheed Mohatarma Benazir Bhutto. pic.twitter.com/gBG28w9nYD
— Kasim Gilani (@KasimGillani) June 21, 2021
PPP member Mir Gul Muhammad Jakhrani tweeted some of his own photographs with Benazir and a line: “You shall live on in our hearts.”
Happy Birthday to my great leader Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto
You will forever be missed. You shall live on in our hearts, my memorable pictures with #SMBB. @BBhuttoZardari @BakhtawarBZ @AseefaBZ @MediaCellPPP #HappyBirthdaySMBB pic.twitter.com/zINr5xq6m9— Gul Muhammad Jakhrani (Senior) PPP (@GulMJakhrani) June 21, 2021
“Happy Birthday to leader of the people, inspiration of young girls like me,” wrote activist Meena Gabeena. “My graceful, visionary leader Benazir Bhutto.”
Happy Birthday to leader of the people,inspiration of young girls like me … my graceful, visionary leader Benazir Bhutto.
Osama bin Ladin was used to order her murder and she was killed by Taliban leader baitUllah Mehsud during an army generals dictatorship in Pakistan pic.twitter.com/2XITTIp0ON— Meena Gabeena (@gabeenaa) June 21, 2021