Islamabad, 29 February 2008: The Senate of Philippines adopted a resolution honoring the achievements of former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and condemning her assassination.

A copy of the resolution adopted by the Senate of Philippines on January 30 last was transmitted to Senator Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Co-Chairman through the Senate of Pakistan today.

The Resolution acknowledging Mohtarma Bhutto as an advocate of the causes of women, children and minorities. It also recalled that she was never found guilty of corruption charges in a court of law even though her governments were dismissed on two different occasions.

The Resolution says that in her death, the World lost a great leader and a champion of the poor.

Following is the text of the resolution:

"RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF MOHTARMA BENAZIR BHUTTO, AND CONDEMNING HER ASSASSINATION

"Whereas, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was the first woman and youngest Prime Minister of Pakistan, a position she served twice.

"Whereas, during her stint as Prime Minister, Bhutto advocated woman's social and health issues, and rallied against laws and practices discriminating against minorities women and children in her country.

"Whereas, her policies of modernizing and democratizing Pakistan were always met with opposition from religious fundamentalist groups and right wing conservatives in the government.

"Whereas, Bhutto was an active and founding member of the Council of Women World Leaders, a network of current and former prime ministers and presidents.

"Whereas, she was removed from her office in both terms by two different Pakistani Presidents on grounds of alleged corruption but was never tried nor found guilty of such charges in a court of law.

"Whereas, Bhutto went into self-imposed exile in Dubai in 1998 where she continued to advocate the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.

"Whereas, Bhutto returned from exile in the later half of 2007 amid death threats.

"Whereas, Bhutto was assassinated on 27 December 2007, after departing from a political rally in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi, two weeks before the scheduled Pakistani general elections of 2008 where she was a leading opposition candidate.

"Whereas, in her death the World lost a great leader, and advocate of women's rights, a vanguard of democracy, a stanch reformer and champion of poor. Now therefore be it.

"Resolved, as it is hereby resolved by the Senate of the Philippines. To honor the life and achievements of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and to condemn her assassination."