Eighteen years have passed since that tragic and unforgettable day – October 18, 2007, forever etched in Pakistan’s history as a day of hope, courage, and heartbreaking loss.
It was the day when Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto (SMBB) returned to her homeland after eight long years in exile – welcomed by millions of devoted followers who filled the streets of Karachi to see their beloved leader once again. But what began as a day of joy and triumph turned into one of the darkest chapters in our nation’s story – when a devastating suicide attack targeted her homecoming procession near Karsaz, claiming 134 precious lives and injuring over 400 people.
I was among them.
Only three years old, holding my father’s hand, filled with excitement to catch a glimpse of Shaheed Bibi – unaware that within moments, everything would change.
When the blast struck, chaos engulfed the air. In that instant, a bullet hit my knee. I was just a child – the youngest injured victim that day. My father shielded me as everything burned and shattered around us. The sound, the smoke, the cries – all remain etched in my memory even now, eighteen years later.
A few days later, something extraordinary happened. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto herself called us to Bilawal House. I still remember sitting beside her – I was crying, and she gently held me, wiped my tears, and comforted me with love only a mother could give. She offered me chocolates and said softly, “Don’t cry, meri beti.”
When my father told her my name – Maryam – she smiled and said words that changed my life forever:
“From now onwards, she is Bhutto – Maryam Bhutto.”
That was the most honoured and blessed moment of my life – sitting beside my Shaheed Bibi, who carried the spirit of her people with such grace and courage. She not only gave me love that day but also supported me later in my education.
After her martyrdom, her legacy continued through President Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Bibi Bakhtawar and Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, who have always been kind, supportive, and generous to me. Their care and encouragement shaped my path and strengthened my bond with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) – a bond written in sacrifice, loyalty, and love.
Even after eighteen years, the memories of that day remain vivid – the pain, the tears, and the pride of having witnessed history so closely.
For me, being called Maryam Bhutto is not just a name – it’s a lifelong connection to the ideals of democracy, resilience, and compassion that Shaheed Bibi embodied.
She came with hope in her eyes,
The daughter of destiny, beneath open skies.
The crowd roared with faith, the flags flew high,
Then silence fell, as martyrs kissed the sky.
Amid the fire, a child stood small,
Wounded, yet blessed by the greatest of all.
She whispered softly, “You’re Bhutto now,
Carry the dream, keep the vow.”
Eighteen years have come and gone,
But her light in our hearts still shines on.
My loyalty eternal, my faith unshaken,
For PPP, for Shaheed Bibi – never forsaken.
Today, I stand with the same love, the same devotion.
Eighteen years later, I still feel the warmth of Shaheed Bibi’s hand, the power of her words, and the strength of her vision.
I am proud to say – I am Maryam Bhutto, and I will remain with my PPP family till my last breath.
This love is infinite.