Brussels, (Unib Rashid) __ The 18th death anniversary of former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, was commemorated in Brussels under the auspices of Pakistan Peoples Party Belgium.

The commemorative event was held at the residence of senior PPP leader and former President PPP Belgium, Haji Waseem Akhtar. Party leaders, workers, journalists, and members of the social community attended the gathering in large numbers and paid rich tributes to the late leader.

The ceremony, hosted by Haji Qamar-uz-Zaman, began with recitation of Fateha and prayers for the elevation of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s ranks. The event was presided over by senior PPP leader and former president Malik Akhlaq Ahmed.

Speaking on the occasion, Haji Waseem Akhtar, Rao Mustajab Ahmed Khan, Shiraz Raj, Hafiz Unib Rashid, Professor Imad, Iftikhar Ahmed (popularly known as Phaa biloo), Molana Anwar Rabbani and Malik Zubair highlighted the political struggle and democratic legacy of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in the context of Pakistan’s political history. The speakers emphasized that the leadership of PPP made immense sacrifices for public political rights and for presenting Pakistan as a progressive democratic state on the international stage.

They stated that despite the judicial killing of party founder Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, PPP played a decisive role in ending all three major military dictatorships in Pakistan. The party successfully shifted the global narrative from “Islam versus democracy” to “democracy versus extremism,” establishing itself as an acceptable political force both domestically and internationally.

The speakers noted that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was fully aware of the threats to her life before returning to Pakistan, yet she embraced martyrdom for the restoration of democracy and civilian supremacy. Alongside her courage, she demonstrated political wisdom by engaging with her opponents, proving that politics is not merely confrontation but also reconciliation. They highlighted the signing of the Charter of Democracy, calling it the most significant political document after the Constitution of Pakistan.

Addressing the gathering, Chairman of Kashmir Council EU, Ali Raza Syed, paid tribute to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and recalled her historic role in ensuring the participation of Kashmiri leadership in the 1994 Islamic Conference held in Casablanca. He said her efforts revitalized the Kashmiri political movement and strengthened leadership within Indian-occupied Kashmir.

On the occasion, senior PPP leader Sheikh Shakeel expressed regret that the present-day Pakistan Peoples Party has deviated from its founding principles, resulting in the loss of public trust despite holding power in one province.