New Zealand PM pays glowing tribute to the late Benazir Bhutto

Jacinda Ardern shared fond memories of the former premier during a speech at Harvard University’s commencement ceremony.

WASHINGTON: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has paid a tribute to former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto by reiterating the latter’s call to deepen democracy while addressing students at Harvard University.

The New Zealand Prime Minister emphasised the importance of democratic systems by echoing Bhutto’s 1989 speech at the university.

In her speech, Arden shared that she had met the late Benazir Bhutto in Geneva in 2007, seven months prior to her assassination.

Further, she added said that despite all the political differences that exist in the world, two things about Bhutto were undeniable. “She was the first Muslim female Prime Minister elected in an Islamic country when a woman in power was a rare thing, and she was also the first to give birth in the office,” continued Arden.

She mentioned how 30 years later she was “the second and the only other leader to have given birth in office almost 30 years later.”

“My daughter, Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford, was born on the 21st of June 2018, Benazir Bhutto’s birthday,” she told the audience.