Benazir Bhutto, born on June 21, 1953, in Karachi, Pakistan, was a trailblazing politician and

the first woman to head a democratic government in a majority-Muslim nation. Serving as the
Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms (1988-1990 and 1993-1996), Bhutto
was a symbol of political resilience, modernity, and progressive ideals in Pakistan’s turbulent
political landscape. Her life was marked by significant achievements, as well as immense
personal and political challenges, including her eventual assassination in 2007.

Early Life and Education

Benazir Bhutto was born into Pakistan's most prominent political family. Her father, Zulfikar
Ali Bhutto, was the founder of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and served as both the
President and Prime Minister of Pakistan in the 1970s. Benazir's early life was deeply
influenced by her father’s political career and the tumultuous events surrounding it.

She received her early education in Pakistan before attending Radcliffe College at Harvard
University, where she earned a degree in Comparative Government. Later, she studied
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at the University of Oxford. While at Oxford,
Bhutto became the first Asian woman to be elected president of the Oxford Union, a
prestigious debating society. Her education abroad exposed her to Western ideas of
democracy and governance, which would later influence her political philosophy.

Entry into Politics

Benazir’s entry into politics was not by choice but by circumstance. Her father, Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto, was overthrown in a military coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq in 1977, and later
executed in 1979 after a controversial trial. This event thrust Benazir into the political arena
as she assumed leadership of the PPP while still in her twenties. The military regime of Zia-
ul-Haq was repressive, and Benazir, along with her family, endured imprisonment, house
arrest, and exile.

Despite these hardships, Benazir Bhutto became the face of resistance against military rule.
Her leadership of the PPP galvanized support from a broad coalition of Pakistanis who were
opposed to Zia's authoritarian rule. Bhutto’s struggle against the military regime, coupled
with her commitment to restoring democracy, earned her widespread respect both within
Pakistan and internationally.

First Term as Prime Minister (1988-1990)

Following the death of General Zia in a plane crash in 1988, Pakistan held its first democratic
elections in over a decade. The PPP, under Benazir’s leadership, emerged as the largest party
in the National Assembly, and at the age of 35, Benazir Bhutto was sworn in as the Prime
Minister of Pakistan on December 2, 1988. Her ascension to power was a historic moment,
symbolizing the possibility of democratic renewal in Pakistan.

During her first term, Benazir Bhutto focused on social reforms, particularly in the areas of
healthcare, education, and women's rights. She launched initiatives to immunize children
against polio, expanded access to primary education, and promoted family planning. Bhutto
also worked to strengthen Pakistan's relations with Western countries, particularly the United
States, from whom she sought economic aid and support for her government's development
projects.
However, Bhutto’s first term was marred by several challenges, including economic
difficulties, ethnic tensions in Karachi, and opposition from conservative forces within the
country. Her government also faced accusations of corruption, which were amplified by a
hostile establishment and the military. In 1990, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed her
government on charges of corruption and mismanagement, leading to new elections.

Second Term as Prime Minister (1993-1996)

Benazir Bhutto returned to power after the 1993 elections, following the resignation of Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif under pressure from the military. Her second term as Prime Minister
saw continued efforts to modernize Pakistan’s economy and improve social services.
Bhutto’s government pursued policies aimed at liberalizing the economy, attracting foreign
investment, and privatizing state-owned enterprises. She also sought to improve
infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector, to address the country’s chronic electricity
shortages.

Bhutto’s second term was also notable for her attempts to improve the status of women in
Pakistan. She appointed women to key positions in her government, passed legislation to
protect women’s rights, and established the first women’s bank in the country. Additionally,
she worked to combat religious extremism, though her efforts in this regard were often
constrained by the powerful military and intelligence agencies, which had their own agendas.

Despite these initiatives, Bhutto’s second term was plagued by many of the same issues that
had undermined her first. Corruption allegations continued to haunt her government, and
political infighting between the PPP and opposition parties led to instability. Relations with
the military remained tense, particularly over issues of defense policy and the control of the
nuclear program. In 1996, amidst growing political unrest and economic difficulties, Bhutto’s
government was once again dismissed, this time by President Farooq Leghari, a former ally.

Exile and Return

After her second ouster, Benazir Bhutto faced a barrage of legal challenges and corruption
charges, which forced her into self-imposed exile in Dubai in 1999. During her years in exile,
Bhutto continued to lead the PPP from abroad and remained a vocal critic of the military
dictatorship of General Pervez Musharraf, who had seized power in a coup in 1999. Bhutto’s
time in exile was also marked by personal tragedy, including the death of her brother,
Murtaza Bhutto, in a police encounter in Karachi, which further complicated her political life.

In 2007, amid growing international pressure on Musharraf to restore democracy, Bhutto

returned to Pakistan to participate in the general elections scheduled for 2008. Her return was
met with both enthusiasm from her supporters and grave threats from extremist groups
opposed to her secular and progressive stance.

Assassination and Legacy

Tragically, Benazir Bhutto’s return to Pakistan was cut short by her assassination on
December 27, 2007, in a suicide attack during a campaign rally in Rawalpindi. Her death
shocked the nation and the world, plunging Pakistan into a period of deep political turmoil
and uncertainty. Despite her untimely death, Benazir Bhutto's legacy as a pioneering leader
and advocate for democracy remains influential in Pakistan.
Benazir Bhutto is remembered for her courage and determination in the face of enormous
challenges. As the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority nation, she broke barriers and
inspired women across the globe. Her efforts to modernize Pakistan, promote social justice,
and strengthen democratic institutions continue to resonate, even as debates over her political
legacy, particularly regarding allegations of corruption, persist.

Benazir Bhutto's life and career reflect the complexities of Pakistan's political landscape. She
was a figure of hope and progress for many, but her leadership was also marked by
significant controversies and challenges. Her assassination was a significant loss to Pakistan
and left a void in the country’s political landscape that has yet to be filled. Today, Bhutto’s
children, particularly Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, carry forward her political legacy, continuing to
lead the PPP and advocating for the democratic ideals she championed.