Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Benazir Bhutto was a great political leader, struggled for democracy and was ever ready to solve the problems of poor people of Pakistan, said former Prime Minister (PM) and leader of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Raja Pervez Ashraf. He was addressing the gathering from Madinah, via a conference call, during a function organized by workers of central organization of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Peoples Youth Organization (PPYO) Saudi Arabia chapter on the occasion of 63th birth anniversary of the late Premier Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Raja added, "Despite being a women she faced bravely every obstacle in politics and when she was killed she was where she loved to be most — with the public. She was killed in a bomb and gun attack after an election rally in Rawalpindi on Dec. 27, 2007." He paid glowing tribute to the services of the first woman prime minister of the country and Muslim world and vowed to continue her mission. "Her son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is among us. He has entered Pakistani politics. He recently visited Azad Kashmir (Pakistan Administration) and the party workers gave him very warm welcome which is also a great tribute to Benazir Bhutto," he said. He thanked and congratulated the convener Syed Riaz Bukhari, chief organizer Tassawar Hussain Choudhry and party workers for arranging the event. Earlier, the function started with recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an by Shamsul Haq. Zammurad Khan Saifi presented a poem. Fazal Shah conducted the program. Riaz Bukhari welcomed and thanked all guests. He said Benazir was not only Pakistan's leader but was an Islamic world leader. We should work together for dignity of Pakistan. Aziz Ahmed, senior member and ex-political adviser in Sindh for ex-prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, recalled his days spent with the Bhutto family. He said if Bilawal Bhutto wants success in politics and completes the dreams of his mother he should give priority to the old workers, and should also listen and write to them. Asad Akram, PPP media coordinator Middle East, said: "Benazir was bold and fearless leader. She will live in our hearts forever." Choudhry Mohammed Riaz Ghuman from Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam) said, "It is regrettable that the killers of Benazir have not yet arrested." Other senior workers who spoke on occasion included Fahim Mitla (PPP), Khalid Gujjar (PPYO), Saleem Khan (PPYO), and Nosherwan Khattak (ANP). A birthday cake cutting ceremony was held.
