Benazir Bhutto ignored on Women’s Day

LAHORE

Women politicians from different political parties have flayed the PML-N government for not displaying the portrait of Benazir Bhutto, the first female Prime Minister in the Muslim world on the International Day of Women, who lost her life in the hands of terrorists nine years ago. 

"It is really shocking for all of us that on the International Day of Women, a leader who is the role model for all women who have struggled for democracy and fundamental rights in Pakistan has been ignored by the Punjab government" said Senator Nasreen Jalil, senior leader of Muttehida Qaumi Movement while talking to The News.

Nasreen Jalil said that one might have differences with Benazir Bhutto or her party but it was highly unfair to ignore  her stature on this important day.  She stated that Benazir Bhutto wasn't a regional leader but a person who was widely respected and considered a symbol of Pakistan among nations. 

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, former Federal Minister, while expressing serious dismay over ignoring Benazir Bhutto on the International Women Day saying the PML-N government had once again shown its bias towards a leader who had an unprecedented contribution to democracy in Pakistan. 

Firdous Ashiq Awan stated that Benazir Bhutto was a leader who had been acknowledged by the international community for remarkable role as a woman leader of Pakistan. She said that the act of ignoring Benazir Bhutto by the current leadership hadn't come as a surprise as the Punjab government couldn't even tolerate a college named after her Sialkot whose NOC wasn't issued. 

Sharmila Farooqi, senior PPP leader and adviser Sindh government, while talking to The News, stated that Benazir Bhutto was a leader of a global stature and by not displaying her portrait among noted women celebrities, the PML-N mindset had once again been exposed. 

She said that previously, the same government removed her name from Benazir Income Support Programme and now on an International Women Day, a lady who devoted her entire life for the struggle for democracy, faced severe hardships in dictatorial regimes, and was honoured as first ever Muslim Prime Minister in the world, showed that PML-N leadership was reluctant to show a big heart.

Dr Yasmin Rashd, senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf, stated amongst all women  leaders who had struggled for democracy and human rights, the name of Benazir Bhutto was at the top. She said that it was really strange that the government hadn't even displayed the portrait of a leader who was twice elected as prime minister. Zarka Butt, Deputy Secretary Information of PPP Lahore also expressed resentment against Punjab government over the issue and stated it had become obvious that present rulers had never accepted Benazir Bhutto and they were still following the footmarks of Taliban.

The Punjab government on the other hand dismissed the allegations and its members stated that it wasn't fair to allege the PML-N for ignoring any woman politician including former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. A senior leader while talking to The News stated that during the seminar held at Aiwan e Iqbal, Benazir Bhutto's picture was displayed during the documentary on women in connection with the International Women's Day. 

President PML-N Lahore Pervaiz Malik stated that every matter shouldn't be politicised and it wasn't right on part of some people for holding the PML-N government responsible for any such occurrence.