Benazir was a woman of great courage: British Parliamentarians

Paying their tributes to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, British Parliamentarians described her as a woman of great courage who laid down her life for the cause of democracy and betterment of her people.The accolades were paid to her at an event organised by MP Khalid Mahmood, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Tackling Terrorism, at the House of Commons last evening.The event also coincided with the announcement to produce a feature film on Benazir Bhutto that will immortalise the story of her life.Mahmood said he was in Pakistan at the time of Benazirs tragic death at the hands of terrorists and along with the international community was stunned at the assassination.
He said the tribute was in recognition of the courage and drive of Benazir Bhutto in returning to Pakistan to pursue a political manifesto despite the great risk to her life.
Tahreem Saigol, CEO Flame stone Pictures and producer Ruby Malek, said their aim is to show Pakistan as a liberal and a peace loving country. They said the 160 million strong people of Pakistan are sincere in their efforts to change their country to a democratic, independent and a prosperous state.
Ms.Malek said Benazirs bravery has a place in history and the medium of film is the perfect vehicle for this. We must applaud the efforts and sacrifices of late Benazir Bhutto to free the West of its fears of Pakistan being considered the most dangerous place in the world.
Among the British Parliamentarians who paid homage to the late former prime minister of Pakistan were Fiona Mactaggat, Meg Munn, Lord Nazir Ahmed, David Green, Tony Lloyd, Sion Simon, Kelvin Hopkins, Muhammad Sarwar, Lord Altaf Sheikh, Dr.Brian Iddon, Nina Gill, ex-member of European Parliament, and ex-MNA Nawabzada Ghazanfar Gul.
In their brief remarks, the speakers paid lavish tributes to the boldness and audacity of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto for travelling to her country despite clear danger to her life.
She knew she was taking a huge risk in returning to her country but did so, so that she could be among her people to deliver democracy and ameliorate their plight.
The speakers said the late leader stood for weak, poor and down trodden people of her country and to better the society and give hope and optimism.
Ms.Munn recalled how as the foreign minister on duty at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, she learned her tragic assassination and will never forget the fateful day.
Lord Nazir reminisced about the event he held in honour of late Ms.Bhutto in the House of Lords in 1998 which was attended by 85 members of the Parliament. He said he was advised by the FCO not to travel with the Mohtarma because of real danger of her being attacked.
MP David Green said the best tribute to Benazir is to help consolidate democracy in Pakistan and strengthen its institutions. Others said she took a calculated risk to travel to Pakistan to promote democracy and wage struggle against usurpers of power.
Sarwar said Benazir was determined to return to her country to end dictatorship and usher a new era of democracy and peoples rights. Lord Sheikh said the late PPP leader was a firm believer in democracy.
He called for the rule of law in Pakistan and capacity building and strengthening of its institutions. He also spoke of continued UK assistance in developing Pakistan economically through generous assistance.
Dr.Iddon said political stability was essential in Pakistan to help the country overcome the challenges confronting her. He said the tragic death of Benazir Bhutto has created a power vacuum in the country as people looked to her for guidance and able leadership.
Nawabzada Gul expressed optimism about the future of the country and said the Government was working to fulfil legacy of Shaheed Mohatrma and has initiated a number of development projects to mitigate the sufferings of the people. He said PPP has always rendered great sacrifices for the cause of democracy and for the rights of the ordinary people.