THE death of Benazir Bhutto was mourned by the international community just as was the case nationally. Former secretarygeneral of the United Nations Kofi Annan remembered her as `an exceptional woman who stood for justice and the rights of the people`.
Bill Clinton, the former president of the United States, called her `an extraordinary woman, a visionary leader who changed the course of her country`s history and who, with grace and courage, overcame unimaginable hardship to continue her fight for democracy and the welfare of the Pakistani people`.
Even Pervez Musharraf, a political adversary, could not deny the profound impact she had on Pakistan`s political landscape. In his words, her death was `a tragedy for Pakistan` and that she was `undeniably a significant figure in our political history`.
One can either appreciate her politics or criticise it, but the fact that she was a popular and influential woman leaderglobally is undeniable. Undoubtedly, it was her courage that influenced many to resist against military dictatorships.
