Birmingham, (PR) : Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Birmingham/Midlands organized a ceremony to mark the 72nd birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Daughter of the East, and Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The event was presided over by Raja Qayyum, with Irshad Aziz serving as stage secretary.The hosts of the birthday celebration were Chaudhry Muhammad Shabbir, “Fakhar Dadyal” and Senior Vice President of Pakistan Peoples Party Birmingham, UK, and senior PPP leader Manzoor Ghafa. The special guest for the occasion was Muhammad Afsar Shahid Advocate, former Minister of Endowments and Central Vice President of Pakistan Peoples Party Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Senior PPP leaders and workers, including Chaudhry Amin, Nahid Mughal, Chaudhry Arif, Chaudhry Majeed, Raja Pervez, and Anjum Jarral (President of PPP Women’s Wing UK), also addressed the gathering. Other notable attendees included Chaudhry Fareed Malkaniyal, Haji Barkat Mohra Kaniyal, Nadir Jatt, Haji Ghulam Qadir, Waheed Murad, Muhammad Malik Akhtar Abbasi, and Muhammad Ashraf.
Addressing the gathering, Muhammad Afsar Shahid Advocate stated that Benazir Bhutto was not only Pakistan’s but also the Islamic world’s first elected female Prime Minister, who upheld the banner of public service and democratic values even in the most challenging circumstances. He highlighted that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto brought about revolutionary reforms in education, health, women’s welfare, and the defense system.1 He added that her mission is now being carried forward by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and First Lady Mohtarma Aseefa Bhutto Zardari.He further said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto bravely faced oppression during dictatorial regimes, endured the hardships of imprisonment, yet continued to fight for democracy and advanced the mission of her great father, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.2 He affirmed that the Pakistan Peoples Party will continue public service in accordance with Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s vision and pledge.Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhry Muhammad Shabbir, “Fakhar Dadyal” and Senior Vice President of Pakistan Peoples Party Birmingham, UK, stated that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto not only held the honor of being Pakistan’s but also the Muslim Ummah’s first elected female Prime Minister, and she was a torchbearer of a democratic vision that gave a new direction to Pakistan’s politics. He emphasized that her struggle was not merely for power but for the rights of the people, the supremacy of the constitution, and a bright, peaceful Pakistan.The speakers collectively declared that BB Shaheed lit the lamps of democracy under the shadow of dictatorship, empowered women, taught the youth the skill of thinking and questioning, and gave strength and recognition to marginalized segments of society.3 They stressed that it is imperative for every worker to continue this struggle and play their part in realizing the dream of Shaheed Mohtarma’s Pakistan.