LARKANA, Dec 26: The stage is set to observe the first death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto where main function would be held.

President Asif Zardari along with other key PPP leaders would address the main gathering, party sources said. Thousands of people would turn up to participate in the event as different government departments are busy completing their assignments including the preparation of main venue.

Pavers have been laid on the six acres of land and barbed wires rolled on the pipes near the stage. Larkana DIG (retd) Commander Shoukat Ali Shah, the in-charge of the security, told journalists in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto that two platoons of commandos along with 7,000 policemen would be deployed on the day. The DIGs of special branch, CID and administration would be available for their assistance.

As the day draws close, PPP activists and admirers of Bhutto family are pouring in the shanty village Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto.

Heavy bulldozers and caterpillars are seen engaged levelling the ground that had been dampened by the recent rains and it was delaying the task.

Extensive traffic diversion plan have been made to avoid a possible traffic mess.

Groups of pedestrians are seen with tri-colour PPP flags and raising slogans moving to Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto where small shops have been opened to serve the participants.

Hotels in Larkana are fully booked and the hotel owners have increased room charges.

People from Punjab, Balochistan, Sukkur, Khairpur, Kashmor, Jacobabad and Shikarpur have been advised to use Lakhi-Madeji road and Ratodero bye-pass road to reach the venue.

They have been asked to park their vehicles one and half kilometres away from the Garhi.

People from Karachi, Hyderabad and lower Sindh have been asked to use Indus Highway and take Banguldero diversion to reach Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto.

They would park their vehicles on Banguldero-Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto road. No heavy vehicle would be allowed on Naudero road.

Larkana DPO Irfan Baloch said that the plan would be effective from Dec 26.

A large number of people are expected to attend the first death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto when they would witness the battered roads and insanitation caused in the aftermath of the recent rains in Larkana.