VIDEO: Pakistan former PM Benazir Bhutto’s wax figure unveiled at Madame Tussauds Dubai

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

Madame Tussauds Dubai has unveiled the wax figure of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in the presence of her son and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

She is the first Pakistani national whose wax statue was made and displayed in the Madame Tussauds Museum Dubai.

The event was attended by Bilawal beside Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE, senior officials of the embassy and consulate general of Pakistan and prominent community members.

Bilawal highlighted that the wax figure was a befitting tribute to Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He added that her legacy — being the first female prime minister from the Muslim world — continued to inspire the young generation — women in particular.

He further remarked that the former prime minister of Pakistan was consistent and passionate in advocating peace, stability, and cooperation amongst nations at international fora.

"We are honoured with the display of the statue of my mother Benazir Bhutto as she is symbol of democracy, freedom and equal rights. Dubai is very dear and near to our hearts as my mother lived here in exile for 10 years and I completed my early education in this city. We are thrilled and appreciate the management of Madame Tussauds Dubai to bring the wax figure of my mother and first Muslim prime minister in the world.”

“Benazir Bhutto’s wax figure unveiled at the Madame Tussauds wears the same outfit she wore when sworn in as Prime Minister of Pakistan. The figure was sculpted from a sitting in 1989 using the traditional techniques,” said Sanaz Kollsrud, General Manager Madame Tussauds Dubai while talking to media.

“The statue was displayed in Madame Tussauds London and we borrowed to place in our Dubai museum. It will be remain here as long as our visitors and Pakistani community showed interest to visit," she added.

“Dubai is a unique place with its variety of tourists flow from all around the world. We have been receiving tourists from India, Pakistan, Philippines and other destinations as our Dubai museum has over 60 wax figures from head of the states to celebrities of fashion, music, sports and Bollywood,” she added.

The figure will be placed in the first zone of Madame Tussauds Dubai, alongside wax figures of Royals and leaders of the world.

Benazir Bhutto was a Pakistani politician and stateswoman who served as the 11th and 13th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996. She was the first female leader of any Islamic state in modern history and daughter of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan (1971–1977).

Earlier, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan Ambassador, welcomed the guests and recalled the first tenure of Benazir Bhutto while he was starting his career in late 80s. It is also mentioned that the Madame Tussauds Dubai was opened in 2021 in Bluewaters Islands with 60 plus wax statues including local and international superstars in seven themed zones: Leaders and Royals, Fashion, Film, Media, Bollywood, Sport and the A-List Music Party.