June 22, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 17, 1429

RAWALPINDI, June 21: The Pakistan People’s Party on Saturday observed Benazir Bhutto’s 55th birth anniversary with respect and grandeur by setting up blood donation camps, and arranging night vigils and Mushairas.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani donated blood in a camp set up at the Rawalpindi General Hospital before visiting the site where the late PPP chairperson was assassinated.

Prior to his visit to the Liaquat Bagh, PPP workers and other people offered Fateha and laid floral wreaths by the side of a huge portrait of Ms Bhutto.

The prime minister said the party would continue Ms Bhutto’s mission.

“The government is trying to establish people’s rule. The PPP workers’ blood would illuminate the path of democracy.”

PPP leaders who visited the site included Speaker of the National Assembly Fehmida Mirza, Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman, Farooq H. Naek, Syed Khursheed Shah, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Hina Rabbani Khar. Both sisters of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Faryal Talpur and Dr Azra Afzal, also visited the site.

Various PPP leaders said the late PPP chairperson was an extraordinarily brave woman who had returned to Pakistan to help the people despite concerns about her safety.

Member of PPP’s central executive committee Sultan Mehmood Qazi, PPP Rawalpindi president Zamarud Khan, Malik Aamer Fida Paracha, Naheed Khan and PPP Rawalpindi secretary information Nasir Mir supervised the blood banks. Later, 116 prisoners, including 27 women, were released from the Adiala Jail after the prime minister announced remission in their sentences.

In Islamabad, Fateha was offered at the Parliament House and glowing tribute was paid to the former prime minister in the National Assembly.

A night vigil was held at the Liaquat Bagh where a Mehfal-i-Naat and Mushahira were organised, attended by Supreme Court Bar Association president Aitzaz Ahsan, PPP leader Makdoom Amin Faheem and noted poet Ahmad Faraz.