LAHORE, Dec 29: In view of the assassination of Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto, chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and the observance of a three-day official mourning, the Lahore Winter Meeting races scheduled to be held at the Racecourse on Sunday (Dec 30) have been cancelled.

A decision to this effect has been taken by the Lahore Race Club (LRC) chairman, Tariq Aziz and the LRC stewards on Saturday, a notification issued by the LRC said.

Meanwhile a representative meeting of horse owners, trainers, riders and people connected with equine sports expressed deep sorrow and grief over the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and termed it a dastardly and barbarian act.

The participants of the meeting eulogised the services of the former prime minister of Pakistan for the cause of the country and the people. They viewed her achievements in uplift of the lot of the people self-evident, resulting in her immense popularity among the masses.

The monumental change ditching the oppressive system, brought about during her two tenures as the country’s prime minister, gave voice to the voiceless sections of society and she will be revered and remembered for long.

There is no doubt she was the leader of the masses who has left indelible marks of service to people.

The meeting prayed that may Almighty Allah rest her soul in eternal peace and grant courage to her bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.