'Stand up against extremism, banish poverty, ignorance': Benazir's message a roadmap to make Pakistan modern state, says Zardari

President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the clarion call of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to stand up against extremism and to banish poverty and ignorance is a roadmap to make Pakistan a modern and pluralistic state. The President, in his message on 60th birth anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, said that Benazir Bhutto was a visionary and far-sighted leader. She believed in a moderate and pluralistic Pakistan where the ultimate choice of the people was determined by ballot and not bullet.
He said that throughout her life she fought tenaciously dictators, militants and extremists resisting their attempts to foist their agenda on the people through brute force. The President said the birth anniversary of twice elected Prime Minister of the country and the Muslim world's first women Prime Minister was an occasion to reiterate "our pledge to uphold those ideals of democracy, egalitarianism, pluralism and justice for which Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto stood for and laid down her life."
"The 60th birth anniversary of our great leader is being commemorated at a time when the country has just witnessed a smooth transition from one democracy to another," the President said and added that it was a matter of great satisfaction that the political parties, despite serious reservations, had accepted the poll results as the voice of the people and a dream had come true. President Zardari said that it was a great tribute to her memory that she lives in the hearts and minds of the people.
"Let us on this day vow to tread in her footsteps to further strengthen democracy, safeguard the rights of the marginalized sections and uphold and defend the values for which our founding fathers created this country," he added. He called for remembering on this day in prayers all those, who had sacrificed their lives for the sake of democracy, rights of the people and defending the motherland against internal and external threats. The President reiterated pledge that her sacrifices would not be allowed to go in vain and "we would continue working for a democratic, peaceful, moderate and progressive Pakistan."