Abstract:
I didn’t choose this life; it chose me.
Born in Pakistan, my life mirrors its turbulence, its tragedies and its triumphs.
Once again Pakistan is in the international spotlight. Terrorists who use
the name of Islam threaten its stability. The democratic forces believe terrorism can be eliminated by promoting the principles of freedom. A military
dictatorship plays a dangerous game of deception and intrigue. Fearful of
losing power, it dithers, keeping the forces of modernisation at bay while
the flames of terrorism flourish.
Pakistan is no ordinary country. And mine has been no ordinary life.
My father and two brothers were killed. My mother, husband and I were
all imprisoned. I have spent long years in exile. Despite the difficulties and
sorrows, however, I feel blessed. I feel blessed that I could break the bastions
of tradition by becoming Islam’s first elected woman Prime Minister. That
election was the tipping point in the debate raging in the Muslim world
on the role of women in Islam. It proved that a Muslim woman could be
elected Prime Minister, could govern a country and could be accepted as
a leader by both men and women. I am grateful to the people of Pakistan
for honouring me.
And while the debate between the modernisers and the extremists continues, women across the Muslim world have made great strides since I
first took the oath of office on December 2, 1988.
Few in this world are given the privilege to effect change in society, to
bring the modern era to a country that had only the most basic infrastructure, to break down stereotypes about the role of women and ultimately
to give hope for change to millions who had no hope before.
It’s not necessarily the life I would have chosen, but it has been a life of
opportunity, responsibility and fulfilment. And I sense that the futur
