KARACHI: Foreign Minister of Pakistan and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has congratulated the entire nation, including mothers, sisters and daughters, on National Women’s Day that is observed annually on February 12 to mark the first women’s march held in the country on that date in 1983.

In his congratulatory message on Sunday, he said that today is a day to mark the struggle of Pakistani women for democracy and resistance to dictatorship. FM Bilawal lauded the bravery of Pakistani women, saying they are symbols of unparalleled bravery, great talent and indomitable courage. Women like Fatima Jinnah, Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto are role models for the rest of the world.

He stated that PPP is the only party in the country to be led by two women who braved torture and solitary confinements while leading the nation’s movements for restoration of democracy. He remarked that that it is impossible to respect human rights without granting women equal rights, and that the 1973 Constitution offers women equal opportunity for equality, representation, protection, and growth.

Bilawal reaffirmed that PPP firmly backs every effort made by Pakistani women to put an end to discrimination and exploitation in all of its forms. He saluted both women and men who are fighting for the elimination of gender discrimination. In a tweet on the occasion, he shared the unseen pictures of his late mother Benazir Bhutto and paid a tribute to her endless efforts to restore democracy in the country.