Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has pledged to continue the mission of assassinated former prime minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to eradicate terrorism, root out poverty and give back to the people their political and democratic rights.

Addressing a gathering of federal ministers, parliamentarians and leaders and workers of the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) here Sunday to mark Bhutto's 56th birthday, Gilani said that his government undertook a number of steps to nullify the dictatorial measures and more would be done to make the system of governance just and fair.

"When the nation was pushed from democracy into the darkness of dictatorship and dictators manipulated the minds and thoughts of the nation, Benazir Bhutto guided the nation and encouraged the masses to remain steadfast against the oppressive system," he said.

Gilani said that Bhutto fell victim to the menace of terrorism but refused to bow before it.

Gilani vowed to continue struggle against terrorism till the last terrorist remains on the soil of the country.

He said that PPP succeeded in forming the government due to sacrifices rendered by Bhutto and party workers. The sacrifices of the martyred PPP leader were more than any political leader, he added.

Gilani strongly criticized the terrorist elements who destroyed the green valleys with arms and ammunition, desecrated the holy shrines and mercilessly killed men, women and children.

The whole nation is sending a clear message to the terrorists that they still have time to lay down their arms otherwise they should be prepared for horrible consequences, he said.

At the end of the ceremony, Gilani unveiled a plaque for a monument to be built in memory of Bhutto in Rawalpindi, where she was assassinated on Dec. 27, 2007.

Source: Xinhua