CM Balochistan Pays Tribute to Benazir Bhutto on Her 72nd Birth Anniversary

Quetta:Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday paid rich tribute to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto on her 72nd birth anniversary, calling her a dignified and visionary leader not only of Pakistan but of all of Asia and the world. Speaking at a solemn ceremony held in Quetta to commemorate the occasion, he praised her unmatched political struggle, democratic commitment, and strategic foresight.

“Today, we gather here to honor her sacrifices, services, and enduring legacy,” he said. “The sacrifices made by the Bhutto family for Pakistan are eternal and unforgettable.”

The ceremony was attended by party leaders, workers, and prominent figures from various walks of life. A cake-cutting ceremony was also held in her memory.

Highlighting Benazir Bhutto’s achievements, CM Bugti said she played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for Pakistan’s missile program, which has today strengthened the country’s defense. “It was Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who made the historic decision to make Pakistan a nuclear power, and it was Benazir Bhutto who ensured the country had the missile capability to support that power,” he added.

Speaking about the current leadership, he said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has emerged as a courageous and articulate representative of Pakistan on the international stage, effectively presenting Pakistan’s case with clarity and resolve.

He emphasized that the Pakistan Peoples Party is the only truly federal political party that has always worked to unify all four provinces. “Under the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, we are furthering Benazir Bhutto’s vision in Balochistan,” he said.

He announced several developmental initiatives, including the launch of the *People’s Air Ambulance*, a new *People’s Train Service* from Saryab to Kuchlak, and the initiation of the *Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Program* benefiting thousands of students. Reforms in education and health sectors, along with rapid rehabilitation efforts in flood-affected areas, are also underway.

CM Bugti shared a personal anecdote from 2008, recalling the time he was arrested and tortured for receiving party tickets from the PPP. He emotionally recounted how Benazir Bhutto personally called him during that difficult time, addressing him as “beta” (son) — a memory he considers one of the most cherished moments of his life.

He concluded by stating that the Pakistan Peoples Party has honored him with respect, and he is committed to returning that respect through dedicated public service and loyalty to the party. “This party, this mission, and this ideology are our strength and our future,” he said.

Other speakers at the ceremony included provincial ministers Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani, MPA Haji Ali Madad Jatak, senior PPP leader Syed Iqbal Shah, former Deputy Chairman Senate Mir Sabir Baloch, and PPP Quetta Division President Khair Muhammad Tareen Advocate.