Senate condemns martyrdom of Benazir

The Senate on Wednesday condemned martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto, passing a unanimous condemnation resolution to express sympathy with the bereaved family. The Upper House met here after more than three months with its Deputy Chairman Jan Mohammad Jamali in the chair with a host of issues to debate.

However, the House was adjourned till Thursday soon after offering Fateha and reading the resolution by suspending the business of the day to mourn the death of the former Prime Minister, terming it a national tragedy. Besides, a significant number of Senators, new faces of the caretaker Ministers were also present in the House.

Leader of the House, Senator Wasim Sajjad read out the unanimous resolution. Senator Qari Gul Nasib offered fateha for the departed soul. Martyrdom of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, imposition of emergency, promulgation of Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO), deteriorating law and order situation, economic crisis - shortage of ‘atta’, price hike, gas and electricity load shedding as well as army action in Swat and tribal areas are in the agenda to be debated in the 40th session of the Upper House.

The House unanimously condemned the martyrdom and expressed its sympathy with the bereaved family. The following is the text of the resolution. This House expresses its profound grief, shock and anger over the martyrdom of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto, in an attack at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007.

Benazir Bhutto was a distinguished politician and a seasoned parliamentarian. She remained Prime Minister of Pakistan twice during 1988-1990 and 1993-1996. She had the unique honour of being the first woman Prime Minister of a Muslim country.

She also remained Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly twice. Her services rendered for the cause of democracy would long be remembered. She was a political leader recognised nationally and internationally.

Throughout her life, she rendered valuable services for the promotion of democracy in the country. The country has suffered an irreparable loss due to her tragic demise.

Benazir Bhutto was a strong believer and defender of the Federation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. She struggled relentlessly for the economic emancipation of the working classes, women and minorities of Pakistan. This House, condemns the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto in the strongest terms.

At this moment, our hearts also go out to her children namely Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Asifa who have lost a loving and caring mother. This House also expresses its heartfelt condolences to her husband Asif Ali Zardari, her mother Nusrat Bhutto and her sister Sanam Bhutto for whom no words can provide any solace or comfort.

We pray to Almighty Allah to shower His infinite blessings on the departed soul. May her soul rest in peace and may God give her family strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity, the text ends. The House will meet at 10 am on Thursday.