January 25, 2008	Friday	Muharram 15, 1429

RAWALPINDI, Jan 24: The spot where former prime minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Benazir Bhutto was killed outside Liaquat Bagh on December 27 has become a second Garhi Khuda Bux for her supporters and admirers who cannot travel to Larkana and condole with the bereaved Bhutto family.

People from remote areas of the NWFP, Punjab, Kashmir and Northern Areas still visit the place to pay their homage to the slain leader and place bouquets before a gigantic billboard of Benazir Bhutto placed in front of the main gate of Liaquat Bagh.

On Thursday a delegation of about 30 PPP women workers from Kohat visited the spot.

Naila Noreen, 35, was one of these women, and was beating her chest and head with tears rolling down her eyes. In a choked voice, she said: “For us the picture of Benazir Bhutto is her grave and Liaquat Bagh another Garhi Khuda Bux. We would keep on visiting the place for years to come.” The spot has become so popular that vendors have set up their businesses there, selling pictures, CDs and DVDs of Benazir Bhutto, particularly her last address at Liaquat Bagh.

Moreover, copies of the Holy Quran are also offered by the vendors to the people who visit the place to recite verses from the holy book for the soul of Benazir Bhutto.

Senior PPP leader Sultan Qazi has vowed to ensure his presence at the spot for 40 consecutive days as a mark of mourning and lay a floral wreath before Ms Bhutto’s picture every day.