Benazir Bhutto

Clearly it's not easy for woman in modern society, no matter where we live. We still have to go extra mile to prove that we are equal to men.

We have to work longer hours and make more sacrifices. And we must emotionally protect ourselves from unfair, often vicious attacks made on us.

Ultimately, leadership is about the strength of one's convictions, the ability to endure the punches, and the energy to promote an idea. And I have found that those who do achieve peace never acquiesce to obstacles, especially those constructed of bigotry, intolerance, and inflexible tradition.

The political parties have unanimously rejected the one-man constitutional changes.

Right now, they feel they have lost their voice, and their miseries have increased since my departure.

There are two types of Islamic extremists: one relies on political struggle and the other on armed violence. The category that relies on armed violence was established during the rule of General Zia. These pro-Zia fundamentalist forces are international in nature due to the Afghan war. They have infiltrated the security apparatus and are a threat to democracy in Pakistan as well as to regional peace.

It is of little surprise that the violent groups inducted both Osama bin Laden and Ramzi Yusuf to eliminate the PPP leadership through money and bullets.

During the PPP's next tenure in office, I would like to discuss in the DCC an accountability of the MISR reports in a manner that protects national security and, at the same time, makes those abusing the system accountable.

General Musharraf can counter Pakistan's downward slide by grabbing power back from the pro-Zia fundamentalists who have been using NAB for political purposes since the downfall of the PPP government in 1996.

You cannot be fuelled by bitterness. It can eat you up but it cannot drive you.

I have often heard the argument that a Muslim country, as such, cannot have a working democracy. But I stand before you, a Muslim woman, the elected prime minister of 100 million Muslims, and a living refutation of such arguments and notions.

The United Nations charter gives every nation the right to self defence, therefore when the American embassies were bombed it was a matter of time before the Americans responded by going for what they suspected were the causes of the attack.

The government I led gave ordinary people peace, security, dignity, and opportunity to progress.

I am planning to return and contest the October elections in Pakistan.

General Musharraf needs my participation to give credibility to the electoral process, as well as to respect the fundamental right of all those who wish to vote for me.

No, I am not pregnant. I am fat. And, as the Prime Minister, its my right to be fat if I want to.

My father always would say, 'My daughter will go into politics? My daughter will become prime minister', but it's not what I wanted to do. I would say, 'No, Papa, I will never go into politics.' As I've said before, this is not the life I chose; it chose me … But I accepted the responsibility and I've never wavered in my commitment.

You are creating a Frankenstein.

Being nice should never be perceived as being weak. It's not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of courtesy, manners, grace, a woman's ability to make everyone... feel at home, and it should never be construed as weakness.

The best hijab is in the eyes of the beholder.