RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) is all set to organise the 42nd death anniversary of its founder and former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Liaquat Bagh on April 4 and in this regard, the party’s local chapter has formally submitted an application seeking permission to hold public meeting and sought security for Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other leaders from the district administration.

Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Anwarul Haq has sent the application to the Punjab government. “The district administration will take a decision on the application after the advice of the Punjab government,” said a senior official of the administration. He said due to recent surge in Covid-19 cases, the DC had cancelled all events.

PPP Rawalpindi Chapter General Secretary Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed accompanied by a seven-member delegation went to the DC’s office and submitted the written request.

The application stated that as per tradition, on April 4, at Rawalpindi Liaquat Bagh, PPP will observe the death of Bhutto. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, Co-Chairman and Former President Asif Ali Zardari, Syed Nayyar Bukhari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, former prime ministers Raja Pervez Ashraf, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Mian Raza Rabbani and Qamar Zaman Kaira will address the meeting.

Mr Haq said the decision on the application will be taken after March 28 as per the government’s decision to lift the smart lockdown in 15 areas of the district.

On the other hand, Mr Bukhari has directed party organisations and workers from all provinces to reach Liaquat Bagh on April 4.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2021