Helping tommorow
As a woman, as a politician, as a leader, how much room is there for idealism in political leadership and achieving your goals?
Benazir Bhutto was a Pakistani political leader, the first woman in modern times to head the government of an Islamic state.
She was a chair of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), having twice been Prime Minister of Pakistan (19-Oct-1993 to 5-Nov-1996), (9-Dec-1988 to 6-Aug-1990).
She was also the wife of current Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.
In 1979 she returned to Pakistan after completing her studies and led the political opposition to President General Zia-ul-Haq after the execution of her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
She subsequently endured frequent house arrest (1979 – 1984).
Having been allowed in 1984 to return to the United Kingdom, she became a leader in exile of the PPP, her father’s party.
On 16 November 1988, in the first open election in more than a decade, PPP won and Bhutto became Prime Minister.
During her work as head of government Bhutto’s accomplishments were in initiatives for nationalist reform and modernization, which some conservatives characterized as Westernization.
Bhutto released political prisoners and took other steps to restore fundamental human rights. Bhutto was concerned with women’s social and health issues, including the issue of discrimination against women. She also demonstrated considerable skill in winning international diplomatic and economic support for Pakistan.
