Benazir Bhutto Quotes

Powerful Benazir Bhutto for Daily Growth

About Benazir Bhutto

Benazir Bhutto, born on June 21, 1953, in Karachi, Pakistan, was a trailblazing politician who served as the first woman to lead a Muslim country as Prime Minister twice. She hailed from a prominent political family, the Bhuttos of Larkana, and her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was a charismatic leader who served as Pakistan's President before his execution in 1979. Benazir's early life was marked by exile due to her father's political persecution. She received her education at Radcliffe College and Oxford University, where she studied politics, philosophy, and economics. These experiences broadened her perspective and instilled a strong commitment to democratic values. Upon returning to Pakistan in 1986, Benazir founded the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and went on to become its chairman. In November of the same year, she was elected as Pakistan's first female Prime Minister. However, her tenure was fraught with challenges, including allegations of corruption and political instability. Despite these difficulties, Benazir is credited for initiating a process of national reconciliation, promoting education and women's rights, and advocating for democracy in Pakistan. She was ousted from office in 1990 and spent years living in exile before returning to Pakistan in 2007, where she resumed her political activities. Tragically, Benazir was assassed at a rally in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007. Benazir Bhutto's life and work continue to inspire generations of women and politicians worldwide. Her quote, "I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand," encapsulates her ethos of hard work and commitment towards democratic values. Despite her untimely death, Benazir Bhutto's legacy lives on as a symbol of resilience, courage, and determination.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I believe in a society where the rule of law is supreme and everyone - from the prime minister down to the street sweeper - stands equal before it."

This quote by Benazir Bhutto emphasizes the principle of equality under the law, suggesting a society that upholds justice without prejudice or favoritism based on one's social status, power, or position. It advocates for a system where the rule of law is supreme and everyone, regardless of their role in society, is subject to it equally. This stance promotes fairness, transparency, and equal opportunities, fostering trust and stability within society.


"Democracy is the best revenge."

This quote by Benazir Bhutto emphasizes that the power of democracy serves as a potent form of retaliation against tyranny or oppressive regimes. By establishing a democratic system, where free and fair elections are held, the voice of the people is heard, and their will is reflected in government, former oppressed nations can demonstrate that their resilience, unity, and commitment to freedom have triumphed over repression and authoritarian rule. In other words, through democracy, those who have suffered under dictatorships can exact their revenge by asserting their right to self-governance and creating a society based on justice, equality, and the rule of law.


"We have to remember that all politics is based on the indignation of the day."

This quote by Benazir Bhutto suggests that political action is often driven by public outrage or anger over a specific issue, event, or condition at a given moment in time. It implies that the pulse of politics can change rapidly as new indignations arise, shaping the direction of policy and discourse. The statement underscores the importance of staying attuned to public sentiment and responding accordingly in the political arena.


"The future of the Pakistani woman must be in the hands of the Pakistani woman."

This quote emphasizes self-empowerment and agency for women in Pakistan. It suggests that the progress and wellbeing of Pakistani women should not rely on external forces but rather, they should take control of their own destiny. In other words, it encourages Pakistani women to strive towards independence, equality, and success through their own efforts, paving a path for a brighter future for themselves and generations to come.


"I would rather die a thousand deaths than live under military rule."

This quote by Benazir Bhutto expresses her profound resistance to military rule, reflecting a deep-seated belief in civil liberties and democratic governance. It suggests an unwavering commitment to freedom and the refusal to compromise these values, even if it means enduring immense personal hardship or sacrifice. This sentiment highlights the importance of democracy and individual rights, as well as the strong will of those who prioritize them over their own lives.


Pakistan's future viability, stability and security lie in empowering its people and building political institutions. My goal is to prove that the fundamental battle for the hearts and minds of a generation can be accomplished only under democracy.

- Benazir Bhutto

Goal, Generation, Prove, Institutions

I found that a whole series of people opposed me simply on the grounds that I was a woman. The clerics took to the mosque saying that Pakistan had thrown itself outside the Muslim world and the Muslim umar by voting for a woman, that a woman had usurped a man's place in the Islamic society.

- Benazir Bhutto

Woman, Mosque, Muslim, Islamic

Whatever my aims and agendas were, I never asked for power.

- Benazir Bhutto

Power, Never, Aims, Asked

When the United States aligns with dictatorships and totalitarian regimes, it compromises the basic democratic principles of its foundation - namely, life, liberty and justice for all.

- Benazir Bhutto

United, United States, Compromises

As a woman leader, I thought I brought a different kind of leadership. I was interested in women's issues, in bringing down the population growth rate... as a woman, I entered politics with an additional dimension - that of a mother.

- Benazir Bhutto

Woman, Leader, Politics, Population Growth

Democracy is necessary to peace and to undermining the forces of terrorism.

- Benazir Bhutto

Peace, Undermining, Forces

I was a very shy girl who led an insulated life; it was only when I came to Oxford, and to Harvard before that, that suddenly I saw the power of people. I didn't know such a power existed, I saw people criticising their own president; you couldn't do that in Pakistan - you'd be thrown in prison.

- Benazir Bhutto

Shy, Before, Very, President

Extremism can flourish only in an environment where basic governmental social responsibility for the welfare of the people is neglected. Political dictatorship and social hopelessness create the desperation that fuels religious extremism.

- Benazir Bhutto

Extremism, Social, Religious, Hopelessness

The Holy Book calls upon Muslims to resist tyranny. Dictatorships in Pakistan, however long, have, therefore, always collapsed in the face of this spirit.

- Benazir Bhutto

Always, Holy, However, Dictatorships

Right now, they feel they have lost their voice, and their miseries have increased since my departure.

- Benazir Bhutto

Voice, Miseries, Increased, Departure

Military dictatorship is born from the power of the gun, and so it undermines the concept of the rule of law and gives birth to a culture of might, a culture of weapons, violence and intolerance.

- Benazir Bhutto

Law, Gun, Might, Weapons

Military hardliners called me a 'security threat' for promoting peace in South Asia and for supporting a broad-based government in Afghanistan.

- Benazir Bhutto

Asia, Promoting, South, Supporting

My father was the Prime Minister of Pakistan. My grandfather had been in politics, too; however, my own inclination was for a job other than politics. I wanted to be a diplomat, perhaps do some journalism - certainly not politics.

- Benazir Bhutto

Politics, Some, However, Diplomat

A people inspired by democracy, human rights and economic opportunity will turn their back decisively against extremism.

- Benazir Bhutto

Will, Against, Extremism, Economic

In 1988, when democracy was restored, the military establishment was still very powerful. The extremist groups were still there. And when the aid and assistance to Pakistan was cut, we had to adopt harsh economic policies. So in a way, it showed that democracy doesn't pay, and the military was able to reassert itself.

- Benazir Bhutto

Policies, Very, Cut, Economic

I seek to lead a democratic Pakistan which is free from the yoke of military dictatorship and that will cease to be a haven, the very petri dish of international terrorism.

- Benazir Bhutto

Very, Which, Haven, Dictatorship

It's true that General Musharraf opposes my return, seeing me as a symbol of democracy in the country. He is comfortable with dictatorship. I hope better sense prevails.

- Benazir Bhutto

Country, Sense, Symbol, Dictatorship

I believe that democracies do not go to war; that's the lesson of history, and I think that a democratic Pakistan is the world community's best guarantee of stability in Asia.

- Benazir Bhutto

Think, Asia, I Think, Stability

All through the years of the Soviet empire, its Politburo held 'elections.' Of course, calling something an election and actually having it be an election are different things.

- Benazir Bhutto

Election, Through, Having, Different Things

The next few months are critical to Pakistan's future direction as a democratic state committed to promoting peace, fighting terrorism and working for social justice.

- Benazir Bhutto

Next, Committed, Promoting, Social Justice

I've never had a bank account in Switzerland since 1984. Why would the Swiss do this to me? Maybe the Swiss are trying to divert attention from the Holocaust gold scandal.

- Benazir Bhutto

Why, Switzerland, Maybe, Divert

The political parties have unanimously rejected the one-man constitutional changes.

- Benazir Bhutto

Rejected, Parties, Unanimously

While living in America when I attended Harvard in the early 1970s, I saw for myself the awesome, almost miraculous, power of a people to change policy through democratic means.

- Benazir Bhutto

Through, Attended, Means, Harvard

General Musharraf needs my participation to give credibility to the electoral process, as well as to respect the fundamental right of all those who wish to vote for me.

- Benazir Bhutto

Give, Participation, Needs, Vote

Pakistan is heir to an intellectual tradition of which the illustrious exponent was the poet and philosopher Mohammad Iqbal. He saw the future course for Islamic societies in a synthesis between adherence to the faith and adjustment to the modern age.

- Benazir Bhutto

Faith, Islamic, Pakistan, Societies

I have led an unusual life. I have buried a father killed at age 50 and two brothers killed in the prime of their lives. I raised my children as a single mother when my husband was arrested and held for eight years without a conviction - a hostage to my political career.

- Benazir Bhutto

Career, Brothers, Arrested, Unusual

I am planning to return and contest the October elections in Pakistan.

- Benazir Bhutto

I Am, Planning, Contest, October

The military destabilised my government on politically motivated charges.

- Benazir Bhutto

Politics, Government, Charges

The government I led gave ordinary people peace, security, dignity, and opportunity to progress.

- Benazir Bhutto

Peace, Government, Security, Ordinary People

I am constitutionally competent to contest the elections.

- Benazir Bhutto

I Am, Government, Contest, Competent

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