RAWALPINDI: PPP supporters on Sunday gathered at Liaquat Bagh to observe the 13th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

She was assassinated at the same spot in a gun-and-bomb attack on Dec 27, 2007.

Despite the harsh cold weather, PPP supporters continued to turn up at the spot to offer Fateha all the day.

Two separate functions were organised at the site by PPP Workers Group led by Ms Bhutto’s close aide Naheed Khan and the PPP City chapter.

Early in the morning, on directions from Ms Khan, local leader Mohammad Ibn-i-Rizvi, Malik Mazhar, Chaudhry Nasir accompanied by 50 to 60 people gathered at Benazir’s monument for Quran khawani.

They washed the site with rose water, lit earthen lamps and offered Fateha for the departed soul.

Food was later distributed among all those who attended the gathering.

Speakers, whilst paying tributes to Ms Bhutto, said that they will continue her mission of being a voice for those who had none and supremacy of parliament.

A rally was also taken out from New Katarian to Liaquat Bagh. PPP City Secretary General Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmad, Raja Altaf Hussain, Jamil Qureshi, Banaras Chaudhry and others participated in it.

The main function was held before Maghrib, attended by PPP Rawalpindi Division President Sardar Saleem Haider, General Secretary Raja Khurram Pervez, City President Babar Sultan Jadoon and others.

Addressing the gathering, speakers said Benazir Bhutto was committed to strengthening Pakistan and democracy, adding she sacrificed her life for the people as she was struggling to put the country on the path of development.

They said Bhutto will always live on in the hearts of people, adding, imperialist powers are seeking to seize resources of the country and snatch the right to rule.

Instead of overcoming rising inflation and people’s problems in the country, a trial is being held against politicians, they added.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2020