Sherry Rehman Pays Tribute to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on Her 73rd Birth Anniversary

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jun, 2026) On the 73rd birth anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Vice President of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman paid a heartfelt tribute to the life, struggle, and towering legacy of Pakistan’s first female Prime Minister, twice elected and a global icon of democracy and women’s empowerment.

“On her 73rd birthday, we honour one of Pakistan’s finest leaders,” said Senator Rehman. “Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s courage, vision, and sacrifices continue to inspire not only Pakistanis but millions around the world. She was a beacon of hope for the marginalized, the women, the voiceless,and the oppressed—and her fight was always for them.”

Speaking about the threats Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto faced, Senator Rehman recalled the dangerous political landscape in which she led from the front. “We walked into one of the largest terrorist attacks Pakistan had ever seen. She knew the risks, yet she persisted because she was waiting for us, not for herself, but for Pakistan’s women, so they would not be left behind,” said Senator Rehman. “Till her last day, she was committed to the empowerment of women. She could have chosen an easier life, but she chose to fight for Pakistan.”

Senator Rehman emphasized that SMBB’s political journey was not one of privilege, but of purposeful resistance. “When offered her freedom in exchange for abandoning her political career, she refused. She remained steadfast, reassessed the scale of the challenge, and took another step forward for Pakistan’s future. That is leadership.

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Remembering SMBB’s pioneering work for women’s rights, Senator Rehman noted, “She was the first female Prime Minister of a Muslim country, twice elected. She built pathways for other women to rise. From landmark pro-women legislation to visionary programs, she transformed intent into institutional reform.”

Shedding light on the initiatives built under SMBB’s vision, Senator Rehman stated, “The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was conceived under her leadership. Today, it remains the largest social safety net in the country, providing financial empowerment to millions of Pakistani women.” She added, “Her Lady Health Worker program revolutionized healthcare access across rural Pakistan, improving maternal and child health, while creating livelihoods for thousands of women.”

Senator Rehman also commended Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for carrying forward his mother’s mission. “Chairman Bilawal continues to walk in her footsteps. His commitment to BISP and women-centric welfare policies is a powerful testament to SMBB’s enduring legacy. His advocacy for social justice and women’s rights ensures that her voice and vision remain alive in our political fabric.”

“As Pakistan stands at the crossroads of immense social, economic, and political challenges, we feel the absence of her leadership more than ever,” Senator Rehman concluded. “Yet, we continue to draw strength from her example. Her fight lives on in every woman who raises her voice, in every child who dares to dream, and in every citizen who believes in a democratic, inclusive Pakistan.”