Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday urged all the political forces of the country to join hands to confront the challenges in the days ahead.
He was addressing a gathering at the ground breaking ceremony of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Monument here at the exhibition ground Shakarparian, coinciding with the 57th birth anniversary of Muslim world’s first woman prime minister.
Prime Minister Gilani extended a hand of reconciliation to all the political forces of the country and said it was vital that they stand together to face all the challenges that they might be facing in the days ahead.
“On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mohtarma Shaheed Benazir Bhutto I extend a hand of friendship towards all political forces. Let us stand together and adopt a policy of reconciliation, consensus and friendship to face the challenges the country faces.”
“We might come across more strong challenges in future, but to face these, our determination is even more stronger,” the prime minister said.
Prime Minister Gilani said in the past the politics of conflict had seriously damaged the country, leading to derailment of democratic system, many a times.
Gilani also noted the role of the Quaid of PML-N Mohammad Nawaz Sharif who also realised this fact and stood by the Pakistan Peoples Party in saving the system.
He said the government has introduced numerous policies for the uplift of the masses and empowerment of the people keeping in view the vision of Shaheed leader. He also mentioned the 7th NFC award, 18th amendment, GB empowerment ordinance and several other measures that have put the country on the path of progress and prosperity.
He said Pakistan has now embarked on a journey to progress, but added that it was not time of complicity as much more needs to be done.
The prime minister paid rich tributes to the Shaheed leader who despite the martyrdom of her father and brothers remained steadfast with courage and determination to achieve the goals set by her father.
He said it were the leaders like Shaheed Benazir Bhutto who have been ruling the hearts and minds of the people with their vision and will continue to do so.
Prime Minister Gilani said the Shaheed leader struggled throughout her life and was never deterred by any threat or difficulty and strove for empowerment of the masses.
He said the monument at Islamabad was a small token of the love and respect the people of Pakistan have for their great leader and was reflective that she was the sign of federation.
He said the Shaheed leader despite her death remained a symbol of federation.
Gilani said the Benazir Bhutto carried forward the mission of her great father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto with zeal and vigour. She confronted dictatorial regimes and struggled for the people of Pakistan and for democracy.
He said what the late leader achieved was uncommon in the third world. He said she left a deep mark on the history and faced with great courage every challenge that was thrown in her way.
Gilani also read several excerpts from her speeches on various occasions and pointed that the Shaheed leader had a broad vision and the ability to see the looming challenges. She spoke of the threat of the extremists and militancy and expressed her determination that she would not be waver from her commitment to rid the country of this evil.
The prime minister said performing the ground breaking of the monument in Islamabad does not in any way mean that another monument will not be built at Rawalpindi where the late leader was slain. He said a provincial committee has been set up to sort out the matter and soon land will be acquired from the provincial government to construct a dewar-e-Benazir at a suitable location.
The prime minister also planted a sapling on the occasion and lauded the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Committee for the hard work done to accomplish the gigantic task.
The event was attended by Chairman Senate Farooq Naek, Ministers for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira, Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Chairman Pakistan Baitul Maal Zamurad Khan.
The design of the monument takes into consideration the stature of the Shaheed leader and will be constructed over 10 acres.
The monument will comprise of Bab-e-Benazir at the entrance, a dewan-e-awam and will be the central focus of the monument. It will have signatures of children and people from all over the country, places to light candles, and excerpts from her speeches.
Leader of House in Senate Syed Nayyer Bokhari said the central minar will depict hope for the people of Pakistan and will be located in the centre of a small lake. It will also have 53 glistening metallic pieces depicting her age at the time of her death.
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