LAHORE, Dec 30: Glowing tributes were paid to the assassinated PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto at soyem ceremonies and protest rallies were taken out at various places in the city on Sunday.

PPP leaders and activists paid tributes to the slain leader for her services to the country and people. Besides Quran khwani, the participants offered fateha for the departed soul amidst tears. Many workers, including women, beat their chests to mourn the assassination.

The main soyem ceremony was held at the Model Town’s Bilawal House. It was attended by hundreds of party supporters and leaders, including Ashraf Ejaz Gill, Sohail Malik, Dr Fakharuddin Chaudhry, Shahbaz Durrani, Shamim Niazi, Qurban Khoso, Nargis Awan and Rana Arshad Shad.

PPP’s Kuwait president Attiq Irfan led the prayers, during which the participants raised slogans in favour of Ms Bhutto, and against the government, accusing it of her assassination.

Later, the participants took out a procession that peacefully culminated at the main Model Town Road.

Another major soyem ceremony was held at Shadbagh’s main ground where party leaders Dr Ziaullah Bangash and others paid rich tributes to Ms Bhutto. The participants also raised spirited slogans against the government.

Dr Bangash and others said the assassination of Ms Bhutto was a conspiracy hatched to break the country and harm democracy. He said her murder had shocked the entire nation.

They termed the assassination of Ms Bhutto the murder of the sentiment of the people, which they said, would not be tolerated. They accused the government of attempting to hush up the case.

They said the reaction shown by the entire nation had proved that Ms Bhutto was the only popular national leader.

Soyem ceremonies were also held at the residence of Rana Shaukat Mehmood at Samanabad Ground, and Jail Road.

Some workers lit earthen lamps at Faisal Square to mourn the death of Ms Bhutto.

A rally organised by the PPP at Thokar Niaz Beg brought together around 250 people in another vociferous and energetic protest. The protesters tore apart Pakistan Muslim League-Q posters, set them on fire and raised slogans.

The rally was organised by Chaudhry Younis Jatt, the younger brother of Amjad Jatt, who is a PPP candidate for PP-160. Amjad Jatt told Dawn: “Those who carried out these atrocities must be brought to justice. How many more people can be killed? We are protesting nationwide, and killing Bhutto won’t kill our movement.”

The Communist Mazdoor Kisan Party also participated in the protest. Student leader Ali Jan, a member of the party, said Ms Bhutto’s death had galvanised the workers of the city and, despite a general lack of media coverage in Lahore’s outskirts, emotions were running high in the area.