ATTOCK, Dec 27: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Attock chapter’s local leaders has said that the forces that sought to eliminate Benazir Bhutto from the political scene have failed to eliminate her influence, vision and political philosophy of democracy.

They were speaking at a gathering held at Sheenbagh village on Saturday to observe the first death anniversary of Ms Bhutto.

Recalling the December 27, 2007, the day Benazir was killed in Rawalpindi, the speakers said it had been carved as a somber day the history of politics.

PPP local leader Malik Hakmeen Khan said the party loyalists and workers must pledge on this day to follow the path of democracy which had been engraved with the blood of Benazir’s sacrifices. MPA Shahan Malik said following the death of Benazir, the year 2008 had been one of the most difficult periods in the party’s history, but February 18 elections had proved that the PPP remained the sole representative of democratic aspirations of the nation.

The assassination of Ms Bhutto was actually an attempt to destabilise the foundations and political system of the country as she was a symbol of federation, he said.

The local leaders said after the death of Zulfikar Bhutto, Benazir surged a new sprit and hope into the party. However, she faced many tragic incidents and life threats in her political life, but she did not shun her struggle and commitment for the democracy and ultimately sacrificed her life for the cause. The PPP’s leaders said there was a need of taking our responsibilities to strengthen the democracy besides combating terrorism from our soil to make it secure and peaceful land. Earlier, Quran Khawani and prayers were held for the departed soul of Ms Bhutto. Similarly, the death anniversary was also observed at some other parts of the district by the party activists and leaders.