Simon Hughes MP today led the tributes on behalf of the Liberal Democrats at two meetings in the Palace of Westminster to commemorate the life and tragic assassination of the late Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Sahiba, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Leader of the Pakistani People's Party.

3.56.00pm GMT Wed 9th Jan 2008

Simon Hughes, who had met Benazir Bhutto on many occasions during their careers, paid tribute to Benazir for three achievements in particular.

First, Benazir Bhutto broke a cultural glass ceiling here in the UK when she became the first female President of the Oxford Union in 1976. This national pre-eminence meant that when she went home to active politics in Pakistan many people in Britain felt she was almost as much one of ours as she was a great daughter of Pakistan.

Second, Benazir broke an international political glass ceiling when she became the first woman Prime Minister of a Muslim country in 1988:

'Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have all had women Prime Ministers since their independence from the British Empire. Of this group of very impressive female leaders, Benazir stood out because she achieved this office in a Muslim country where there was much cultural opposition to female leadership and because of the importance she gave her role internationally as well as at home'.

Third, Benazir set an example of how to campaign and lead in a country with a very strong faith background but from a perspective that was enlightened liberal, progressive and inclusive of people of all faiths and none.

Benazir's assassination was a tragedy not for her family and friends, party and country, but also for democracy.

Friends of Pakistan around the world must redouble our efforts that the battle democracy and against military rule is won in Pakistan in a way that cannot be undone in the decades ahead.

Note:

Baroness Falkner of Margravine joined Simon Hughes in tributes on behalf of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords. Kishwar Falkner, herself a Muslim of Pakistani origin, had been at school with Benazir and shared fond personal recollections from very early pre-political days.